Author's Note: Chapters 1-11 have been revised and updated. This necessitated me deleting several chapters (since the beginning of this ordeal I've recently only had to delete one chapter at a time). You may have to go back a bit to return to where you left off. Sorry for the inconvenience. It might be easiest to make note of the title of the chapter you're on in the future.
Jet had picked up considerably less than Rancis, since most things had a tendency to automatically refill. Plus, pessimistically, he wasn't sure how much longer he would be around to enjoy it. There were forces at work that were busy painting a giant target on his back, after all. My fault for supplying the paint. He sighed as he unlocked his door. At least it hasn't been vandalized yet. "..I-I don't suppose you'd like to come in?" he asked. Probably a stupid question.
"S-sure, why not?" Crumbelina smiled nervously as she followed him in.
Jet's home was rather plain. The walls were completely bare. In fact, if it weren't for the furniture so graciously provided for him by King Candy, it would be completely empty due to the fact that he technically didn't belong there.
After his things were put away, Jet made his way into the living room and all but collapsed–ass first–onto the marshmallow-like sofa.
"How are you holding up?" Crumbelina asked cautiously, not really looking forward to the answer.
"Okay, I guess.." Jet sighed. He really didn't want to start on that topic yet again, so he decided to change the subject. "I was thinking for a while now.. You know pretty much everything about me, but I don't know much about you.. I'm not really sure where I should start though."
Talking about herself wasn't among the highest of Crumbelina's priorities, but she knew that it was only fair. She slowly made her way to a marshmallow-like reclining chair that was also facing the graham cracker coffee table. "Okay.. Well I'm not sure where I should start either." I'd rather not bring up anything depressing.. but then again he's told me pretty much everything so far without hiding anything..
"Okay.. Well, what's your backstory?" Jet asked, "I know your mom owns the place we eat at all the time, but aside from that I don't really know much about you aside from your fondness of bruschetta.." The waitress did say it was her usual anyways.
I guess I'll have to talk about it.. Crumbelina took her hat off because it felt a little hot, "Well, like you said, my mom runs the place.. But she doesn't actually do the cooking or manage the place anymore." She sighed. "The truth is, she's been diagnosed with some weird heart condition that's left her bedridden. The game developers didn't really specify what condition it is.. It's not something I really like talking about for obvious reasons.. Only a few racers even know about it." I'm glad they didn't program her dead, but she's still bedridden all the same.. I don't know why they thought that was a good idea.
"O-oh.. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable asking all of a sudden.." Jet said nervously. Smooth move, man. You're doing such a great job here.
"No.. It's okay," Crumbelina frowned, "Compared to what you've been through this is.." She shook her head. It's still pretty bad.. No, I can't let myself cry right now.. It's not like she's going to actually die.. I've been over this already.. I wonder how she's doing right now. I should check on her..
"Is that what you're programmed to be racing for?" Jet asked softly, "Like using the prize money to pay for some kind of operation or something?"
"Yeah, that's basically it," Crumbelina said, "I was a racer before that too, but it was more just for fun back then." The fancy clothes and kart is more for show than anything else.. Mom likes watching the races from home, I have to put on a good show for her.
"Couldn't we ask King Candy to help her?" Jet asked, "I mean, he didn't hesitate a bit to add me as a racer. He even gave me an awesome kart and made me so good looking. He would surely see no problem in fixing your mom's code to make her not bedridden." It's just that simple, isn't it?
"It.. Well it would be great if he would.." Crumbelina said nervously as her heart began to race at the thought of her mother being able to run around and actually live her life again, "I've never really spoken to him before, so I don't know." I've spoken in front of him, but I was talking to Ralph when I did it.. It's different. Oh.. I hope he doesn't think I'm a bad person because I yelled at Ralph..
"I'm sure it'll be fine," Jet eased warmly, "Why don't we go there now?" Game developers can be so cruel.. I'm glad King Candy knows how to alter character data. I imagine it would be easy for him to make it so that her mom is completely fine except for the ending cutscene of Crumbelina's story mode.. assuming she's in it.
"S-sure.." Crumbelina beamed a nervous smile, "How are you not nervous about going see him?" We don't normally interact with him that much outside of participating in the same races.. Vannie is an exception..
"He's a nice guy," Jet said warmly, "He was actually the one that suggested that I become a racer instead of staying locked up for the rest of my life." What a guy.. I feel bad asking him for a favor, but I'm sure he won't mind.
Without wasting time, Jet had Crumbelina drive over to the castle to talk to King Candy.
"You okay? You haven't said anything in a while," Jet beamed. Is she that nervous about talking to him? Well I guess it makes sense. She probably doesn't want to get her hopes too high in case he is unwilling or otherwise can't do it. I'd better not be giving her false hope..
"Yeah, I'm fine.." Crumbelina chuckled nervously, "It's just that it's been on my mind since the game was plugged in.. I don't know what to feel right now." I hope he can fix her. I hope fixes her..
Jet knocked on the door to the castle as soon as they had arrived. Come to think of it, the guy who opens the door is short, I need to remember that this time.. I hope he's not still mad at me. I guess I couldn't blame him if he is.
The castle door slowly opened.
"Sorry about the other day.." Jet said sincerely as he bent down to greet Sour Bill. Sour Bills eyes widened a bit. "We're here to see King Candy." I definitely freaked the guy out..
Sour Bill made a serious face and droned, "You'd better not be here to start any trouble." He opened the door a bit to let them inside. "Guards, make sure he doesn't make any sudden moves." What was King Candy thinking making this guy a racer? And now look at him, coming to the castle like it's no big deal. He reluctantly went get King Candy.
"Jet!" King Candy laughed excitedly as he walked over to them from the throne room, "And Crumbelina.. I trust everything is alright?" It's rare to have visitors at the castle. I hope Jet hasn't gotten into any trouble. He seems well compared to earlier. Crumbelina is with him too, though that's not so strange given the circumstances..
"Well actually, we're here to ask a favor," Jet said sheepishly, "I hope it's alright with you.. It's a favor for Crumbelina, really.." It's a little bit harder to talk about now.. Maybe I should let her ask? Or she might be too nervous..
"Oh. Well. Go ahead and ask," King Candy said hesitantly, "It depends on the favor, really." What is it, exactly? Is it something serious? I guess it must be if they came here to ask..
Jet placed his hand on Crumbelina's shoulder. Does she want me to ask? She's clearly having a hard time getting the words out, maybe I should..
"W-well.." Crumbelina said nervously, "I'm sure you.. must know about my backstory." Keep talking.. Keep talking. I just have to spit it out.
"Oh, why yes.." King Candy said solemnly as he clasped his hands and looked away slightly, "Oh!" Is it about that? It has to be about that, right?
"We were wondering.." Crumbelina said nervously, "Could you maybe do something about it?" Does he know what we're talking about? He seems to..
"Yeah, you made me a racer and everything," Jet said plainly, "I just thought you might make it so that her mom was fine. I hope that's not too much to ask.." To make sure we're talking about the same thing here..
"I'd like to," King Candy sighed, "but there's a scene at the end of the game.. Well I guess it can't hurt if she's in her position when necessary.." I don't see how it could hurt as long as it doesn't make the game seem broken. Maybe I should check through the rest of the racers sometime as well.. But there has to be a limit to what I should modify. "I'll do it. I'm sorry I didn't think of it before, Crumbelina."
"R-really?!" Crumbelina asked excitedly, "Thank you!" She hugged him tightly before realizing she just hugged the king. "S-sorry.." Please don't change your mind because of that.. He wouldn't do that, right?
"N-no worries.." King Candy said as he adjusted his outfit and put on a smile, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Rest assured I'll have it done soon.. Go on your way now, it's a secret remember, Jet?" I knew it was a good idea to make him a racer.. Still best to keep him at arm's length.
"I'll be keeping me eye on you," Salty Phil said threateningly as he glared daggers at Jet. He had been standing behind Jet for a while now. Ye may be playing the role of a good guy now laddie, but I'll not forget yer previous life.
Author's Note: If anyone is disappointed that the issue with Crumbelina's mom has such a simple solution.. Sorry, I guess :p? It was just something I added in to give her a bit of backstory, and to display another potential problem with being a character in a game. And since King Candy is a good guy in this story, I couldn't reasonably make him not fix the obvious injustice (not that I would prefer it not get fixed).