Lorain and Vanellope had arrived just outside of Diet-Cola Mountain when Lorain's car came to a stop.
Lorain jumped out of her car, not bothering to use the door before she spun around to Vanellope, "It's so good to see you again, Van! What happened to you?"
"I don't know what you mean…" Vanellope says, rubbing her arm as she jumps out of the car.
"Of course you know what I mean! We've spent the last ten years living together in the castle and today after the first race you were just…gone!" Lorain says, staring at the girl incredulously.
"What are you talking about, Twist?" Vanellope's nose scrunches up, "Sure I see you around now and again but never have I set foot in his castle…I don't know where you got that crazy idea from."
Lorain's smile dropped and she fell to her knees, "My god…it really has happened…hasn't it?"
"What's happened?" Vanellope asks, sitting in front of Lorain on the cocoa ground.
"I…" The licorice themed racer trailed off and just shook her head, "It…it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're safe."
"Safe…?" Vanellope stares at her, "What's up with you today? I mean, one day you're fine with chillin' at the candy castle and the next you're ready to beat the Figgie-pudding out of King Cavity."
If it had been under any other circumstances, Lorain would have laughed at the name she had given King Candy but now was not the time to laugh.
Lorain pulled off her goggles and tossed them into her car, "I don't know what's going on here, but I'm going to fix it Vanellope. I promise you, Van, I can fix it."
Vanellope giggled.
Lorain's nose scrunched up, "What's so funny?"
"You sounded like Fit-It Felix," Vanellope smiled at the girl she had mentally dubbed as her big sister.
Lorain went to roll her eyes but stopped. She turned to Vanellope with a grin, "That's it! Maybe Felix can fix this mess." Lorain climbed to her feet and runs over to her car.
"I have no clue what you're going on about, but okay!" Vanellope cheers with equal enthusiasm and jumps in the passenger seat.
The car's engine revs and they take off toward the Rainbow Bridge that led to Game Central Station. The drive was quick, however when they got to the mouth of the tunnel Vanellope got a bad feeling and looked over at Lorain, "Stop the car."
"What gives, Van?" Lorain asks, pulling the car to a stop.
"I dunno…I just have a really bad feeling…" Vanellope hugged herself and got out of the car, walking over towards the entrance but stopped before she actually went inside.
Lorain was at her side in an instant and she looked down at the younger girl, "What's wrong?"
"I think…there's something there…" Vanellope says, looking around the arched mouth of the tunnel. Then cautiously she raised a hand and reached out towards it. An invisible barrier pulsed blue before snapping back at her hand, giving her a jolt of electricity.
Vanellope shrieked in surprise, falling backwards onto her butt.
"Vanellope!" Lorain says in shock, reaching out and helping her up as she kneeled down to Vanellope's level, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Vanellope snaps, looking away from Lorain and ripping out of her hands and she walked over towards the car.
Lorain's eyes eased and she sat on the ground, "You don't have to act all tough around me, Vanellope…"
Vanellope looked over at her with a glare, but doing so showed the tears that had glossed over her eyes. Her bottom lip quivered and her whole body shook slightly.
Lorain held out her arms, inviting Vanellope over to her.
Then the tears spilled over and Vanellope raced over to Lorain, hugging her arms around Lorain's neck. She sobbed into the crook of Lorain's neck and Lorain hugged her tightly. Vanellope never really opened up to anyone the way she did with Lorain.
Lorain rose to her feet and carried Vanellope over to the car. She opened the door and sat down in the driver seat, her legs dangling out the open door. Her hand rubbed calming circles on Vanellope's back, "You're okay, Vanellope. I'm here…"
"Why c-can't I leave the g-game…?" Vanellope sobbed.
Lorain shrugged, "I'm not sure, Van. But if I can get to Felix he might be able to help."
"O-Okay…" Vanellope sniffled, wiping her eyes.
The older girl rose to her feet and she turned around, placing Vanellope in the car, "I'm going to find Felix. You stay put."
Vanellope nodded and sniffed, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her sweater, "Okay…hurry back though."
"I will," She smiled at Vanellope and her smile made one crack onto Vanellope's face.
Lorain turned to the tunnel and was on edge as she carefully walked through the invisible barrier that had stopped Vanellope. She gave one quick glance back at Sugar Rush before she took off into the tunnel, hoping she could find some way to save the little girl that so desperately needed her help.
A/N: Do not fret my friends! The romance with come eventually. Lorain can't resist King Candy's charm forever. But it will take a little while for her to actually warm up to the man the took over her 'little sister's game...so yeah! If I had to make a guess it first fluff with take place in chapter...9 or 10, maybe? But that will be pretty soon anyway. Thank you for reading and remember to review!
~Isabelle
