10: Bantering Does Wonders

Two months later…

She put the tube into it's place, smiled, and pulled the lever, shooting her 'message in a bottle' up into the air, higher and higher, toward the air ship that floated so peacefully in the wispy sky. Smiling, she skipped back to where she had just come, her pink hair bobbing as she went, she couldn't keep her excitement hidden.

Elsewhere…

"How do you think everyone will take it?"

"About as nicely as they took to my 'giving up' being an ass, by being as sickly sweet as possible. Maybe even worse."

"And about the other news?"

"Let's save that for the big event. Wouldn't want to give everyone an overload of joy."

"See, I knew it."

"Knew what?"

"That you'd get used to being nice and being everyone's friend."

"I will never like Bessie. Plain and simple."

"Once you get past her gossiping side, she's really very nice…"

"But that side of her is more than it should be of her personality."

"Yes, unfortunately you're right… that always made me wonder why she never watched soap operas, though. If she did, she's never gossip about the rest of us."

"You think? or is that a hope you have?"

"Both."

"Anyway—how exactly are we going to tell everyone?"

"I'm still unsure of that myself, love. I'm more concerned with how we're going to be accepted after this news. The kids love me, so there's not a problem there. It's just… the adults…"

"I think I know how you feel—although, my case is far reaching to this one…"

"What, you already forgot about that little lie we told, to explain where I came from?"

"Oh, yes, that… have no clue. Ask the perpetrator, she should have all the answers."

"You helped with it though, so you have a say."

"But I didn't start it. That's all that counts."

"Scapegoating someone won't get you brownie points."

"unless you're going to actually make brownies, I don't care about these 'points' you speak of."

"Now why would I do that? you've been doing so well lately, I can't let that progress be deterred now."

"A brownie or a cookie won't hurt me. Really, I promise."

"Really. Until I hear that from a doctor, I'm not so-"

"I was in perfect health before, wasn't i?"

"You can run a mile now, when I got here you couldn't run half a foot."

"Your point?"

"You've made progress in your health, and junk food won't-"

"Then you stop eating potato chips, those aren't very healthy. At least, so that elf claims."

"That's a low blow…"

"But the truth you are trying to get across must be observed as well by the dictator, therefore you're only getting what you're giving."

"What a way to put it. I always thought you were able to articulate at a high level than you do, on average."

"What are you talking about?"

"The way you phrased something that could have been said much, much simpler than you did."

"I was hoping to confuse you, actually."

"It didn't work."

"Indeed."

"Disappointed?"

"Not really." A pause. "Why are we doing this? Why don't we just grab the elf and his consort and go get married in the city. I'll even treat everyone to sushi. The elf should be able to eat that."

"Is that what you really want to do? you want to just run off and get married impromptu and all-of-the-sudden?"

"Yes… and no."

"Explain?"

"I want to make you happy. But I don't like attention, you know that. I want it to be simple and quick and easy and yet I want it to be perfect for you."

"Really?"

"Truly."

Hours later…

"You may now kiss the Bride." Robbie fixed the veil over her head, wondering idly why brides even wore one, traditionally. Smiling, he brushed the back of his hand and fingers on Violet's cheek before capturing her lips with his own. He could feel her smile in the kiss, and saw it when she broke them apart.

"You know," He said as he walked her out of the chapel, "You've made me the happiest man in the world." Robbie opened the front passenger door for her. Sportacus did the same for Stephanie.

"Then that makes me the happiest doll in the world, doesn't it?" She smiled as got in.

"Violet, why do you keep referring to yourself as a doll?" Stephanie was in the back seat, behind her friend. As she spoke, both men got into the car.

"Because I am a doll of a woman. I'm not exactly human, but am enough to be called one."

"Besides," Robbie interjected, "It's my nickname for her."

"If 'doll' is your nickname for her, Robbie, what's her nickname for you?"

"Simple Sportacus—my maker." And the doll's maker drove them back to Lazytown as the sun set on the city.

End