"Your turn, honey."
Snow Miser, Nina, and Tingler were playing a board game in the throne room of the ice castle. Nina was looking out a window, distracted.
It was the end of January, nearly a month after Snow Miser and Nina got married and half a year since the battle with Pravus and the Awgwas. Since then, Tingler had visited quite often, which Snow Miser and Nina loved, however, Nina had become quieter during this time, even after the wedding.
Tingler lightly tapped on Nina's hand to get her attention. She quickly looked at them and asked, "Hm?"
"It's your turn," the Sound Imp gently told her.
"Oh. Right. Sorry." She rolled the dice.
Snow Miser sat closer to her. "Hold on a minute. Let's take a break. We need to talk."
"But we're in the middle of a game," Nina stated.
"It can wait," Snow said, picking up the dice off the coffee table and holding them. "You've both been acting weird for awhile, and we can't fix whatever is wrong until we start talking about it."
Tingler began looking nervous, and Nina just shook her head. "It's not something I can really talk about in a casual setting," she stated. "I don't want to ruin our game."
As she reached for the dice, Snow froze them inside a block of ice. "We'll play after you talk."
Nina sighed, knowing she had no other choice. "I...I keep thinking about what happened, about when everyone went missing and we fought the Awgwas. I can't get those moments out of my head. I keep seeing myself killing Pravus and the Awgwas; it repeats in my mind, constantly." She swallowed, holding back tears.
Snow Miser held his wife in his arms. "Oh, angel."
"I know it had to be done, but it was all so horrible!" Nina began crying on her husband's chest.
Tingler sat on Nina's other side. "It was a horrible thing, but they're the ones who started it. You were protecting everyone."
"I know, but I still didn't want to do all that. I keep thinking time will heal the wounds and remembering that what I did was necessary, but nothing takes the pain away. I keep having nightmares about it."
"I think you need to see a therapist, too," Snow told her. "Mine has helped me out a lot. Maybe one can help you, since you're struggling."
When Nina looked down, Snow mentioned, "I know you've brought up your feelings before about what happened, but it's obvious you need a lot of help to get through this. We'll all support you, but you need professional help before this eats you alive."
Nina nodded. "You're right, Snow God. I do need help. I haven't been able to cope well. I'll see about going to a therapist soon."
"That's all settled," Tingler said, picking up the block of ice with the dice in it. "Let's continue the game."
"Not so fast, Tingler," Snow said. "You've been acting nervous, lately. What's up?"
"Oh, nothing, really."
"Come on, we're your friends."
"Yeah," added Nina. "You can tell us anything. We talk to you about all kinds of stuff."
"Well," Tingler said, fidgeting with the bells on his clothes, "I don't think this is a good time. You're not doing well."
Nina sat closer to him. "I'll be fine," she told him, softly. "If something is on your mind, we want to know."
Tingler stared at them both, then darted his eyes away. "I can't."
"Why not?" Snow asked.
The Sound Imp hesitated. "I don't want to lose you two."
Snow Miser sat on his other side. "What are you talking about?"
"I enjoy the friendship we have. I don't want to do anything to ruin it...but there is so much that has been on my mind, so much that I've been holding back."
"Then tell us. Whatever it is, we'll get through it."
Tingler paused, then took a deep breath. "This will be difficult for me to say. I care for you both very much, and I've never felt this way about anyone else before, not the way I do about you two. Nina, you're so kind and caring, and Snow Miser, you're sociable and charming. You're both very loving and accepting, and I admire you. I know you two are married to each other, but...I want to be a part of your lives, if...you'll allow me."
"Tingler, you're shaking," Nina stated, and hugged him.
"Hey, don't worry," Snow Miser said, holding Tingler's hand. "We're not upset with you at all."
"We'd be okay with dating you," Nina told him.
"You would?" Tingler asked, surprised.
"Yeah!" answered Snow. "We think you're wonderful, and we've gotten so close to you." He kissed Tingler's cheek.
Tingler blushed. "And I to you."
Nina wrapped her arms around Tingler and kissed his other cheek. The three of them sat very close to each other, snuggling, until they heard a knock at the door. Snow Miser got up and opened it, then came back inside with an envelope. "Nina, you got something in the mail," he told her, then handed her the envelope.
Nina opened it and read what was inside to herself. "What is it?" Tingler asked.
"It's an invitation to a party from someone named King Moonracer."