A/N: This chapter is long becasue A. I didn't know how to halve it, and B. I've been absent for awhile so HAVE A LONG ASS CHAPTER YAY.
*Chapter 18*
Tessa skid through the Great Hall from the spiral staircase she had rocketed herself from. With a nervous, eager demeanor, she hustled to the corridor that led to the great kitchen of her castle. As her excitable, tense and palpable aura burst into the kitchen, she was greeted by the same force of energy by her cousins, aunts and uncles.
"'Ey, Tess," Taffyta motioned with her arm with a smile as the group continued to loudly chatter, "We made waffles, how many do you want?"
"Uh," Tessa faltered as her eyes scanned the large group of comfortable, casual gamers; the closed Arcade day, Sunday, was pricked with the eager grip of summer that wanted so badly to spread it's warm wings.
"She'll probably want two hundred," Oliver suddenly chortled with a full mouth, Penny largely and playfully nudged him as her and Tammy began to giggle.
"Yes, two hundred please," Tessa said in a dull tone as she neared the large kitchen table, which sat poised and sturdy across from the kitchen island.
The light, worn and loved wood was flood with morning sunshine and delicious foods galore. The room smelled of warm breakfast, topped with spices that hung in the air. Everyone was in comfortable clothes, including Calhoun and Felix. The table was crowded with love. Tessa smiled and could almost feel her heart flutter with the idea of having such a tight knit unit to call her own. Gloyd glanced at Tessa with a hello of a smile, though he continued to tell Rancis and Felix his intense, funny story, complete with dramatic arm and hand gestures.
"Sit next to me, Tess," Her best friend chimed, Penny's golden curl was a bit of a wreck; she looked as if she was the last one to wake up.
"I-I can't stay, has anyone seen mom?" Tessa wondered, Taffyta eyed her curiously.
"I actually haven't," Taffyta glanced around the table in a whirl of confusion that just hit her, "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Ralph, either."
"They're not upstairs," Tessa concluded quickly, she hoped to avoid anyone insinuating anything that could potentially consist of code swapping.
"I was gunna say," Candlehead covered her giggle and blushed face behind shy hands.
"I'm not sure, Tee," Taffyta said as she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, though the group remained relaxed, "Why don't you check the code room for her whereabouts?"
"I think she went to town, this morning," Rancis chimed as he gave Gloyd an apologetic look for interrupting his story.
"Town," Tessa furrowed her eyebrows and gazed down at the table in contemplation, "What would she need to go to town for?"
"Obviously not to see Orion," Taffyta said with a shrug, "I'm not sure. What do you need?"
"I-I just need to ask her a question," Tessa said as she almost unwillingly began to pull herself away from the warm group she wished she could continue to melt into.
"Okay," Taffyta said as a look of worry coated her eyes, "Is everything alright?"
"Oh yeah, everything is fine," Tessa assured as she waved her large hand around once, "I'll be back later."
"Be safe," Tammy chimed, Taffyta nodded in Tessa's direction and gave her an almost stern look of authority. Tessa playfully saluted as she back pedaled towards the entry of the kitchen, though in doing so, she bumped into Ralph.
"Oh!" Tessa exclaimed as she shook her head and peered upwards, "Sorry, dad."
"Hey, where'yah going in such a hurry?" Ralph chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head in a sleepy manner, Tessa cocked her eyebrow in confusion.
"I'm going to find mom," Tessa rushed as her and Ralph stepped around one another, "She's in town, right?"
"Yeah," Ralph breathed, "She goes down there every once in awhile. I usually join her, but, I'm not feeling too hot this morning."
"My waffles will cheer you right up, I'm sure!" Taffyta called as she quickly stood, as if she was happy to have someone else to cook for.
"True story," Ralph grumbled with a grateful smile, "You be careful out there, Tess. Let me know if you decide to leave the game, got it?"
"Got it," Tessa stated, as if this were the hundredth time she were to agree to that statement, "I'll be back soon!"
Tessa strolled through her to-be land, though she had purpose in her barefoot step. Sugar Rush's warm Sunday morning was late, though quiet. The sun was higher in the sky, though the moon could be see hanging on the opposite end of the game, as if it were quietly awaiting it's great debut. Tessa's eyes scanned the candy clouds high over head as her feet led her down a satin, chocolate and peanut pebbled path. In the distance, she could see the town where Orion used to reside, where he used to rule. He was head of Starkrem, Sugar Rush's Northernmost city. It lay nestled in a valley, hugged by a range of gumdrop mountains. The sugar grass was always brilliant shades of green laid with dark soils rich in caramel and bittersweet chocolate. The city's vast abundance of cherry blossom trees were kissed with flakes of powder snow a good majority of the year.
As Tessa neared the outskirts of town, she was kindly greet by humble, Sugar Rush citizens of all kinds. They lived in cozy homes grounded deep in Starkrem's roots and beginnings. The hills had ages of memories written all over them. She knew the citizens on the outskirts couldn't afford to live closer to the heart of the city, where Orion's old tower used to remain, though Tessa knew these citizens, that hugged the city's exterior, were just fine with their quiet, wild country. Tessa was stopped a few times by surprised onlookers, she knew being Sugar Rush's first heir had its pros and cons, though she hated the feeling of how hot her skin would get with embarrassment; she hated the center of attention.
As Tessa pushed deeper into the busier city life, the buildings began to grow and grow. At the very center of the city was a new tower for Orion, where he would come daily to make sure Sugar Rush's largest city was maintained. She eyed it in mischievous knowing; she had to wonder if Orion knew she was coming, or maybe it was the way his tower was crawling with it's usual mint ivy. The chaotic foliage was true to his character. As Tessa found herself looking more upwards than onwards, she almost forgot what she had come into town for.
"Well would'ya look what the castle spit out," Came a sudden, loud and garbled voice that made Tessa jolt clear out of her skin. She shoved her large hand over her heart out of worry before she slumped her shoulders with relief and beamed a wide, gapped tooth smile.
"Mr. Kuramu," Tessa eased as her world snapped back into place, "You scared me!"
"Welp, with all that fancy royalty life, it's sure to dull yah a bit, huh?" He said loudly; he was an older, crusty looking creature, though his green eyes held a twinkling youth.
He stood upright, though was hunched slightly with his old age. He wore a messy, button down shirt and comfortable slacks. His breed was that derived of nougat and chocolate covered almonds. The younger ones of his kind looked sleek and poised, though Mr. Kuramu was rough around the edges with skin to match. He had two medium sized, dull horns near his pointy ears. They laid close to his head, likely out of limited mobility. The swirling, caramel color on his dark scales were worn with the years of his wisdom, though he largely flung a tattered broom about the shop he was cleaning up outside of. He finally laid the broom to rest against the wall as travelers and city folk continued to stroll about the busy sidewalks. Citizens of all kinds moseyed about on bikes, motored pedal pushers and skates alike.
"And what, city life doesn't take a toll on kindness at all?" Tessa barked as she gestured her large arms, though she held true to a playful smile.
"Lookit the size'a yah," Mr. Kuramu hissed as he shook his head a little. He tenderly reached out one of his hands as he neared the young heir, Tessa beamed an almost bashful grin and looked down as their hands met, and eons of worlds collided, "Boy, last time I saw you, you were terrified o'me!"
"And rightfully so!" Tessa wrinkled her nose and playfully shook his hand around; he cackled a loud, aged laugh and threw his head back.
"Ah, my dear, you haven't changed a bit," He stated with a nostalgic glaze over his eyes, "What brings you to Starkrem? You're not here to see that giant, crusty lizard again ar'yeh?"
"Orion?" Tessa furrowed her eyebrows and shook her hand around lightly as they left contact, "No, no, I see enough of that nerd face on the daily."
"Lucky you," Mr. Kuramu eased as he crossed his arms and gave Tessa his full attention, "Saws'your mother not too long ago."
"That's what I came for," Tessa shrugged a little as she finally let her eyes and mind leave the bubble she shared with her old friend, the city welcomed her with open arms. The more she stood still, the more the citizens began to recognize the presence of royalty.
"She stopped for one of my famous cups of marble macchiato," Mr. Kuramu grunted as he swiftly grabbed his broom and waved for Tessa to follow, "C'mon, I know what will put the pep back in your step!"
"I wish I could stay, Mr. Kuramu, but-"
"You mean to say, you came all the way to Starkrem, to do something other than visit lil'ol me?" Mr. Kuramu pretended to look offended as they entered his humble coffee shop; it was loved and dim with dark cherry wooden furniture and bar stools. The smell of rich, warm coffee and chocolates filled the air with the coziest of auras.
"You were my first stop," Tessa said sheepishly as she almost unwillingly leaned over the bar. Mr. Kuramu's slow moving body made his way behind the bar and fumbled with a glass or two.
"Yeah yeah, you kids are all the same," Mr. Kuramu teased, he side eyed Tessa in a loving sort of way, as if to express his very last drop of patience for her, "y'promise to come visit more often. Hasn't seen yer brother in eons."
"Yeah, Oliver is such a hermit," Tessa spat with a wide smile as she began to inch towards the door she had just entered, "My mom didn't happen to say where she was headed, did she?"
"She said something about getting some peace'n quiet, and rightfully so. Sures the castle'n this mess of a city are the last places in Arcade she'd want for quiet times," He chuckled with a dazed smile out his coffee shop window, which was decorated with lazy 'we are open' signs, finger prints and scratches alike.
"Sounds like the Northern rim," Tessa said in a dull tone as, she too, gazed out the window with a contemplative facial expression.
"Well git truckin'," Mr. Kuramu cackled as he waved his clawed hand and fingers towards his gaping open door, "A trek to those meadows will take you one game cycle at best."
"Maybe if I was a bag o'bones," Tessa playfully mocked in his crusty, ancient accent. He wrinkled his nose at her and tilted his head back and forth, as if to continue the playful notion. Tessa laughed a genuine breath of air as she backpedaled towards the open door, "I'll see you soon!"
"Y'better! Don't think I wont march my sorry hide to that castle!" He laughed as he cleaned a few coffee mugs.
"I won't hold my breath!" Tessa playfully called into the shop as she stepped out into the street, though she was immediately faced with a small crowd that had gather.
Tessa jolted and smirked an obligatory smile, as well as a kind few waves to the Starkrem citizens that so rarely see their new heir. She felt her heart jump with uncertainty as smaller, younger children looked up at her with eager eyes, they said her name excitedly; Tessa almost didn't know how to feel. She felt a sudden rush of uncertainty sweep over her. She knew she was the rightful heir to Sugar Rush, and she knew that if ever Ralph and Vanellope were to step down from their positions, Tessa would be the first person they handed the kingdom over to. With that sudden bout of power that hit her skin like hot electricity, she felt a million different positive and negative emotions surge her code.
As easily as she could, she slipped away from the thicket of admirers and head towards a certain, hidden cobbled path her mother always showed her. As a small child, the two would follow the delicately hidden, cobble swirls of silver sugared cinnamon stone, which lay quiet under an alley way of old, Starkrem buildings. Beautiful cherry blossom trees, which were the city's staple, covered the very path Tessa's bare feet had taken, and continue to trek down. The warm noon sun peered through the honey cherry leaves, which lightened her way through the mess of city structure.
As if she could have gotten to her destination blind folded, she finally pushed through the last of the thicket. She came upon cobbles that easily dribbled and disappeared into the deliciously shiny sugar rush green grass. Before her eyes was a mess of sprawling hills and fields. The wind made the grass sway, like waves on a sea. Tessa's eyes squinted on hesitation, as if she had to remind herself that the stark differences between city and country were at her grasp.
She let a small smile find its way across her face as she finally spot her mother, she was ever so calmly sitting on the same boulder the two would always come to. It had a few smaller boulders scattered around it, the rugged land peeked from its silk, grassy covering. Vanellope was dressed in a comfortable white tank top as well as a slightly tattered pair of jeans. Tessa knew no one in Sugar Rush could stray from the usual logo cladded clothes, though somehow her mother would sneak into normality and run off, as if it were a crime.
Tessa slowly began to approach her mother, as if taking one wrong step would erase the warm, sunlit scene before her. Tessa almost held her breath and bit her bottom lip with an easy smile. Her heart throbbed at the feel of the hot sun on her skin, the serenity of the atmosphere far above their heads and the candy clouds loomed over like a blanket fresh out of the dryer. Just as Tessa was about to speak, she immediately stopped herself as she came around the backside of her mother. She jolted and widened her eyes as to what was easily enjoying Vanellope's presence.
A rare sight to behold, an endangered species of Northern Starkrem horse stood perfectly poised, with its head bowed, before Vanellope. Tessa's eyes bulged as she froze, she glanced at the back of her mother's head with a strange pang of uncertainty, though the young colt didn't seem to be bothered by the extra presence. It's honey cream ears pricked, as if to sense Tessa's every move, just in case it needed to bolt away. Tessa opened her mouth to speak, though somehow she knew Vanellope would interrupt her anyways.
"Shhh," Vanellope eased to Tessa as she very slowly reached her free hand back a little. She gently motioned for her daughter to come closer.
Tessa bit her bottom lip and pressed on as slowly and lightly as she could. As Tessa tried to daintily sit on the boulder next to her mother, the young colt gently lifted its head as if to be concerned, though Vanellope reached her warm hand out for his muzzle. She whispered sweet nothings to the beautiful creature before the two, and in no time, he warmed up yet again and pushed his muzzle into Vanellope's hand.
"How did you manage to get close enough to one of these things?" Tessa said quietly as her and her mother gawked at the majestic beast before them, "Aren't they extremely skiddish creatures?"
"I just sat, and was quiet," Vanellope said with a small shrug, "This one was brave enough to stray from the herd... Though I hope he doesn't stick around this area for long."
"How come?" Tessa wondered with a frown as she glanced back and forth between her mother and the horse before them.
"Starkrem's rare Crumblekit horse is sought after for its fur," Vanellope said in a sorrowful tone as her fingers eased into the short, soft fur on his muzzle. His whole coat was a honey cream with eases of blushed skin. Vanellope dared to slide her fingers farther up his muzzle, though she was surprised to see the young horse bow his head to lean more so into her touch, "They're mostly used for accessories or even blankets in the winter... It's why they're so endangered."
"How sad," Tessa frowned, her hand itched to reach out and pet the nervous creature before her, though she restrained herself.
"I'm just honored he decided to join me," Vanellope lightly giggled as he shook his head and chuffed a bit, "Let alone give me the honor to pet him."
"I ran into Mr. Kuramu," Tessa eased in a dull tone, though Vanellope exhaled a small noise of a laugh, as if to express apologetic delight towards her daughter.
"I did too, quiet literally," Vanellope smiled wide and kept her eyes trained to the horse before her, "He makes a mean marble macchiato."
Tessa heaved a calm sigh and let the warm, palpable atmosphere sink into her skin for a second. She kept her eyes trained to the wild creature before her and her mother. He seemed as if he knew he was in great company, and soaked up every single moment of it. Not an inch of fear could be sensed from the young, strong colt. He occasionally would lull his eyes closed, as if he was being sweetly rocked to sleep.
"Do you come to Starkrem often?" Tessa asked gently, the silence was only barely broken.
"More often than a lot of you know," Vanellope replied with a hint of a sneaky smile, "Your dad and I come out here whenever we can break away from the chaos. I love the castle, but sometimes I just want to hermit. This field brings back a lot of good memories, anyhow."
"Seems like just yesterday we came out here," Tessa wrinkled her nose and smiled at her mother, a sudden feeling of appreciation hit her skin, "I think you were pregnant with Oliver, then."
"Right you are," Vanellope smiled, though she suddenly eked a bashful energy, "Don't tell anyone, but..."
"Are you pregnant again?" Tessa barked, though she tried her hardest to keep her loud voice and eager excitement from scaring the young horse before the two; Vanellope laughed softly and threw her head back.
"No, I'm not," Vanellope giggled, though she slyly eyed Tessa, "But I'd be lying if I said your father and I weren't trying for a third."
"Really mom?!" Tessa hissed loudly as she tenderly grabbed her mother's arm.
"Yes," Vanellope beamed as she kept her eyes trained to the still being in front of her. She eagerly rubbed his muzzle.
"This is awesome!" Tessa exclaimed happily, "The castle is getting bigger and bigger."
"Yeah," Vanellope giggled as her eyes were suddenly thrown far off into the distance; the castle was merely a tall, glowing speck, "I just wish Taffyta would catch up with me."
"I think Penny would like that," Tessa giggled as she took her mother's cue and gazed far off to their home. Tessa bit her bottom lip a little and furrowed her eyebrows in the still silence they shared, "Why do you come out to Starkrem without any of us? Do you ever get mobbed by people?"
"Sometimes I do," Vanellope lightly shrugged, "I'm flattered."
"Mr. Kuramu seemed to treat me as if I was royalty merely gracing his shop," Tessa said in a disgruntled way, "I didn't realize there was such a separation in societies..."
"Bah, Mr. Kuramu was likely pulling your leg," Vanellope eased, "But, you get those kinds of people everywhere."
"Seems a bit unfair," Tessa frowned, she suddenly felt as if she was sinking into a naive pit of quicksand.
"Well," Vanellope started with a sigh as she let her hand slide off of the young colt's muzzle once and for all. She gave all her attention to Tessa, "I can't tell you how many times I've been crowded and clammed for attention just by coming to Starkrem or any of Sugar Rush's other great cities."
"Sugar Rush has other cities?" Tessa largely furrowed her eyebrows and raised her tone a bit, the young colt had began to move off and graze by himself, though he kept close to their presence.
"I have a lot to teach you, Tess," Vanellope said, almost in a nervous tone, though she kept face and smiled loving at her young daughter, "There's more to being Queen than just winning races and being the center of attention when you come into town."
"What, you get your own spot on the roster and are welcomed home with code swaps galore?" Tessa barked as she threw out her hand, though her face turned bright red and she shot her mom a sudden nervous look.
"How do YOU know about code swapping?" Vanellope asked in a stern, yet almost playful tone as a bashful smile crossed her face.
"Oh cmon, mom," Tessa glowered, "I'm not 4 months old anymore. My code is still purple, I've never had a first kiss, boys won't come near me, blah blah blah, the usual."
"User, Tess," Vanellope chuffed in a small laugh and looked down with a wide smile, "If it makes you feel better, your father was my first and only kiss... And we've been plugged in for over fifteen years."
Tessa shot her mom an almost annoyed, yet thankful smile. She gently rested her hand over Tessa's and kept her gaze downward. The air between them was quiet, though Vanellope's train of thought was as apparent as ever. Vanellope inhaled a readied breath and gazed into Tessa's eyes nervously.
"Tessa," Vanellope carefully started as she looked to the side, as if to wonder how to put her words together, "If something were to happen to your father and I..."
"Mom, where is this going?" Tessa worried suddenly, she side eyed her mother in a sense as if to tell her to knock off playing devil's advocate.
"Listen to me," Vanellope eased, she tenderly tucked some of Tessa's auburn hair behind her ear, "I know holding the title of 'queen to be' can be daunting... I don't want to put pressure on you for something you may not want."
"Mom," Tessa beamed a smile and looked down. She shook her head and gave her mom a sincere look, "I may argue and be hard headed, and maybe act as if I want nothing to do with this place but... Sugar Rush is mine. You know I wouldn't let anything bad happen to it."
"I just want what's best for our kingdom," Vanellope worried as she looked down at their intertwined hands, "Being Queen means being careful about who you let into the game. I just want to make sure you're making wise decisions."
"I would protect Sugar Rush with my life, mom," Tessa frowned as she gestured towards the castle that was far off in the distance, "I just think it would be awesome for a little bit more room to fly."
"I know," Vanellope heaved a hard sigh and looked away, "I guess... After everything that has happened to Sugar Rush... And, to you, one can't help but be wary."
"What do you mean?" Tessa urged with a furrowed look. Vanellope inhaled a long breath, as if to prepare herself.
"Before you were born, Sugar Rush had a massive virus scare," Vanellope's eyes pierced Tessa's, "Your code was stolen from the code room."
"What?" Tessa hissed in surprise as she squinted her eyes.
"Rancis," Vanellope droned off and look back down to their hands, she knew she probably shouldn't go into too much detail, "Rancis sacrificed his life for you."
"Uncle Rancis?" Tessa's facial expression sloped to genuine surprise, she frowned and looked out to the sprawling fields before her.
"That mess is in the past, and we got through it, but whose to say there aren't other viruses out there, waiting to snatch up information from the code room?" Vanellope frowned, "Every head in that castle has to be in full alert... And as future Queen, you need to make sure you're making friends with the right people."
"Sheesh," Tessa frowned, though she side eyes her mom in a nervous way, "So... Someone tried to... Kill me? Game over, for good?"
"You were dragged to Hero's Duty," Vanellope winced, as if talking about it for too long would bring back memories that would haunt her for days. She shook her head and furrowed her eyebrows, "You really should talk to your uncle Rancis about this story... He has all the details, after all."
"Did the virus ever go away?" Tessa wondered, her eyes were enthusiastically trained to her mother's. Vanellope forced a small smile and nodded.
"Yeah, he did," Vanellope eased, "That's the second scare Sugar Rush has ever had. The first time around, believe it or not, your dad saved Sugar Rush."
"Dad?" Tessa asked with a wide, incredulous smile.
"Good 'ol Wreck It Ralph," Vanellope giggled.
"How much has happened since before I existed?" Tessa giggled, though Vanellope's eyes bulged.
"More than you can wrap your brain around, that's for sure," Vanellope choked a small laugh and shook her head; she was quickly reminded of how life was like prior to their upgrade. She furrowed her eyebrows and forgot just what that was like. She was glad she didn't have to go back to being that little.
"Mom, I have a question," Tessa eased with a small frown, Vanellope gave her daughter her full attention as she continued, "I-I guess Game Central Station Academy is having a ball, and... Anyone is welcomed to go."
"You can go to the ball, Tessa," Vanellope rolled her eyes just barely and shot Tessa a loving smile, though she flinched as Tessa jolted and sat up straighter in excitement.
"Really mom?" Tessa asked excitedly as she cupped her hands together, as if to beg. Vanellope let out a small giggle and held her hands on Tessa's.
"Yes," Vanellope smiled lovingly, "If everything goes smoothly, you can have your Academy rights back for next month."
"Thanks, mom," Tessa urged as she quickly lugged her arms around her mother's neck. Vanellope's eyes bulged but she eagerly held her daughter close to her. She snuck a large smooch on Tessa's cheek and pulled away, though she held Tessa's cheeks in her hands and gazed at her long and hard.
"Under one condition," Vanellope wrinkled her nose, "You go to the ball with that Zane fella."
"Ew, Zane?" Tessa beamed an annoyed smile as the two lightly pulled away from each other.
"Don't 'ew, zane' me," Vanellope teased, "He's cute!"
"Alright mom, why don't YOU take him, then?" Tessa laughed.
"I would, but I'm sure your dad would get jealous," Vanellope said playfully, but she gave Tessa a dumbfounded look.
"I'm not going with anyone," Tessa said proudly, "I'm going with the girls!"
"I believe I said that about every dance I went to last year, before your dad and I were married, and I always came out of a dance without any girls and with me on your dad's arm," Vanellope gave Tessa a knowing look.
"I'm going stag, mom," Tessa barked and gestured her arms out, "sheesh, I'm not even in Academy yet and you're already itching for a son in law?"
"What, Sugar Rush can't have a future King?" Vanellope teased.
"So quick to replace dad, eh?" Tessa rebutled.
"Just keep your mind open," Vanellope eased, though deep down she knew she was still wary about Zane; she tried her hardest to quell her worries, "You never know what could happen."