Dolce wasn't just feeling light-hearted. She felt...relieved. Like some kind of heavyweight had been lifted off of her chest. She could breathe steadier, think more clearly.
It was a fresh winter morning (fall had just recently ended), and the air was quite clear. Clearer than she had expected.
Dolce lifted her hands palms-up and spread her fingers outward across the sky. The sky was an endless blue canvas. It was a picture-no, it was hers. For the time being, anyway. That was how she felt...like someone who had the right to own the sky and change it at will, as if it was some kind of massive painting.
Half of Dolce was happy because she had finally, finally made up with Pico after their arguments. After all, it wouldn't be right to continue the fighting. Dolce may be cold sometimes, but she wasn't cruel. The other half of Dolce was happy since she and Frey were still speaking. The fall season was just about over. She had been relieved to keep up the talking and the friendliness for a month now. Besides, Frey truly seemed to care. And Dolce cared as well. She was glad that there was a happy medium. Dolce clenched and unclenched her hands, still keeping her palms flat up against the sky. Then, quickly glancing from side to side to make sure no one had been watching her the entire time, she adjusted her silk hat a little and glanced down at the basket she was carrying carefully with her. Without another second passing by, she set off to find Frey.
"Going somewhere, milady?" A shrill voice piped up behind Dolce. She turned to find the violet-haired ghost girl, hovering in midair, a small grin on her face.
"Hello Pico," replied Dolce softly, tugging at the handle of the basket. Pico started giggling, vaguely reminding Dolce of a schoolgirl.
"I knew it! Oh, you know I love you, Dolly, but you can be soooo predictable sometimes!" Pico chirruped. Dolce rolled her eyes.
"I haven't even said anything yet, airhead." Pico laughed maniacally, crossing her arms and letting the wicked grin cross her face.
"Oooooh~! But I bet you had something planned, right? Something that doesn't involve a lovely little tea party?" She said, her voice dripping with skepticism.
"You're not invited, you know."
"I know!" Pico beamed at her as if it was a given. She snapped her tiny ghost fingers and smirked. "Oh! You're visiting Frey, is that it?!" Dolce remained silent and looked away. There was no chance she would engage Pico now. Once Pico started, it was impossible to get her to stop. "So, that's why I can smell the chocolate cake." She inhaled dramatically and smiled. "Ahhh, it's still fresh. Better hurry up before it gets stale, my love."
"Don't call me that." Dolce said, feeling humiliated. "You're my sister, and not my lover, so stop it." Pico giggled again, swirling in a slow circle.
"Oh, I know, Dolly. I just wanted to try it out."
"That's downright creepy." Dolce replied irritably.
"Was there really any doubt?"
"Forget this. I have to go, or else I'll be late." Dolce turned around and headed toward the town square, heaving the basket behind her. She heard Pico's laughter ringing through the air, even after she vanished behind Dolce.
Dolce hopped up the steps two at a time before rushing off to the entrance of the Castle that led into Selphia Plains. Frey had promised to meet in at the grotto in Yokmir Forest. Normally, Frey would invite Dolce and the other girls, like Xiao Pai, Margaret, or Forte, but this time it was just her and Dolce.
Dolce loved being with her and the girls. It made her feel...wanted. She just wasn't sure how to express it, other than cooking the food for them, of course. Today, she was hauling a basket full of both of their favorite foods. She had really outdone herself this time...she had spent all night gathering the right ingredients and preparation.
Dolce took off her hat and quickly brushed her hair back before entering the grotto, a small clearing that didn't particularly lead anyplace, but was nice to look at. It seemed to shrouded in many trees, and the sky could be seen clearly from above. Dolce stepped into the clearing, only to find that Frey had beaten her there already.
Frey smiled brightly up at her as she laid out the sheet. "Hey. I knew you'd make it here." Dolce shrugged and opened up the basket, laying out the food.
"I wasn't about to skip out on it." Frey's eyes widened slightly as her gaze settled on the basket.
"Woah...you made all of this?" Frey gulped and rubbed her collarbone, the spot just below her neck.
"What, would you rather have me eat all of this myself?"
"No!" Frey laughed and shook her head. "Don't think you could get away with that so easily!"
"Watch me." Dolce had also realized that the friendly tone between them had become a regular thing. Something they shared on a daily basis. Dolce had never been more thankful to have a friend like that in her whole life.
It was true, Dolce had made a plethora of food. Cakes, doria, onigiri, sandwiches, curry, omelet rice, juice...the list went on. It hadn't occurred to Dolce how hungry she actually was. Having used up all of the ingredients the night before, she couldn't make anything for breakfast. The only thing she had eaten the night before were some strawberries she had nabbed from Frey's farm.
Frey piled some curry bread and omelet rice onto her plate and grinned. "Oh, Dolce...this is all handmade, isn't it?" She huffed and took a bite out of the rice. "That's amazing...why can't I be a good cook like you?" She complained, glancing up at her and smiling again. Dolce simply shrugged, helping herself to some stew.
"I try. Besides, you're a good cook. Your egg bowl was good." Frey pouted and chomped down on some of the curry bread.
"Yeah, but still. I can't compete with you." Frey grinned playfully. "Geez...whoever marries you will be some lucky guy."
"Oh, hush." Dolce smiled slightly down at her food and ate her food, at peace, with Frey. After some time, she spoke up again.
"This is much more than I should've prepared. You should take some of this home with you." She said, finishing the small piece of cake she had.
"You mean it?" Frey's eyes grew wide, and she nodded. "I'd like that. After all, it's probably best to not eat it all. I don't want to get sick." She laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her neck, looking down.
"You're right." Dolce agreed quietly, wrapping up the rest of the food and placing it back inside the basket. An idea sprang to her mind as she suddenly stood up and brushed herself off. "Hey, Frey...walk with me…?" Frey gladly obliged, standing up and walking next to her eagerly.
"Sure. Where are we going?"
"Nowhere in particular." Dolce replied, swinging her arms slightly before clasping them behind her back.
"Alright. I'll be happy to go anywhere." Frey said, her ever-present smile still on her face. "...Especially if it's with you."
Right then, something clicked inside Dolce. Some kind of warm feeling flooded through her body, but she couldn't do much except remain silent and let the new warm feeling wash over her like waves on a beach.
"Really?" She asked, not sure if she was supposed to sound incredulous, or surprised.
"Of course! Why wouldn't I? I like you." She...she liked her. Why did those small words, which probably didn't mean anything to Frey when she said it, have so much impact on Dolce? She cared. Not the kind of impact that creates craters in ground. It was more like the kind of impact that slams into someone's heart and leaves them dizzy on the ground. Dolce clutched her forearms to prevent herself from spinning in a dizzy circle and landing on the ground. The last thing she wanted to do was make a fool out of herself, especially with what she now had in store…
Dolce stopped in a new meadow, a field dotted with soft green patches of grass.
"Pretty impressive for the winter, huh?" Frey said, smiling and crossing her arms. Dolce nodded silently.
She didn't care what might happen next. She had to do something. She had to act out. Do something. She didn't have to be quiet anymore. She turned so she was facing Frey, watching her uncross her arms.
"Um, Frey…"
"Yeah?" Dolce slowly shook her head and glanced down.
She had to act out. Do something. Now was all she had.
She took a careful step forward, toward Frey.
"Don't get mad at me." Dolce murmured as she closed in on the other girl.
"What?" A look of confusion crossed Frey's face, but at the same time, she remained still. Something like...anticipation. "W-what are you doing?"
"I'm not doing anything." Dolce said softly, letting her forehead fall against Frey's. She might have not realized the warm feeling in her chest, but if she didn't do something now? What chance would she have later on? Frey had done so much for her… "Just…let it happen."
"Um, okay-" Frey stuttered, her voice small. Before Frey could say anything else, Dolce pressed her lips against her in a spark. It was a small moment, and it happened quicker than anything else. But in a few seconds, Dolce felt the warm feeling again, blossoming and fluttering around.
Frey's hands hung limply at her sides, so Dolce took a risk and took hold of them, squeezing them for a split second and breaking the kiss. When she looked back up, Frey was covering her mouth. Of course. She was an idiot for thinking Frey would accept something as wild as a kiss. She probably didn't even feel the same…
A blush was forming on Frey's face, as well as bewilderment. "What...was that?" She asked, something breaking in her voice. Something in her voice sounded...tentative. Dolce shook her head and turned back around.
"Sorry. That was stupid of me." She was walking away before Frey could even reply.
"Dolce-"
"See you tomorrow, Frey." Dolce said, heading back to the town as quickly as she could.
What was she thinking, kissing her friend like that? She was a pervert, someone with dirty thoughts. She was out of her mind for thinking that Frey had romantic feelings…
Over and over again in her head. Stupid.
Stupid. Stupid.