Chapter 2- Blackberry
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
"Ms. Deanna?"
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
"Dee-Dee?"
It was day two of the great pie 'punishment' and Ralph and Vanellope were ready to go, but to their surprise they found that their next instructor, a certain ruby-colored Nicelander by the name of Deanna, was nowhere to be found.
"I could have sworn…" Ralph said to himself "I thought I saw her come into tha buildin' AFTER tha al clear."
"It's not we could have miss her." Said Vanellope "I know her colors by now."
"Maybe she had something else to do." sighed Calhoun "Granted, I never really got a chance ta talk to her like I wanted. Every time I try to come, she's gone!"
"Ha, so it's not just us!" Ralph laughed, pointing at Calhoun teasingly but as he looked down, Vanellope didn't look as happy "Hey, kid?"
"Ya don't think she's tryin' ta avoid us?" the girl said, feeling more upset. Maybe Deanna was the first Nicelander to really show any disdain for the racer after what had happened. Ralph sensed Vanellope's unease, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Eeh, don't worry about it. Ms. Deanna…she's…well, she's DEANNA."
"What's THAt supposed ta mean?"
"She likes her privacy, I know THAT much about her." the wrecker said "We can ask one of the guys. I'm sure they'll be able to talk to her."
"Alright, but what about tonight? Are we gonna call it a no then?"
"Arugh! Don't give out on me NOW!"
The group turned down the hall, hearing the soft tap of heels running across the floor.
"Who was that?"
"Ooh, stupid thing…"
The trio turned, seeing a tiny figure in a lavender dress kneeling on the floor, the back of her body blocked by a huge bow and dark brown afro.
"Ms. Nel?"
The small figure jumped a bit as she turned, seeing the eyes of the others looking at her. She quickly regained herself, standing up and fluffing up her hair.
"Oh, hello Ralph. Tam-Sargent Calhoun."
Nel then peered below the two, seeing a figure hiding between them.
Calhoun caught the little flub, smiling "Yes, good evenin' to YOU, Ms. Nel."
"And THAT would be?"
Vanellope flinched but she quickly glitched from behind Ralph.
"H-Hello Ms. Nel…" the racer said, waving weakly "Nice night isn't it?"
The Nicelander gave a nod "Yes, it is quite FAVORABLE, other things aside…."
Just by the little pout on her face, the group could tell that there was something bothering the woman but she was trying her best to hide it. She chortled, a hand daintily held before her lips.
"Ah, what am I doing wasting your time like this! I need to get back to my place before-!"
"Hey, where is your shoe?" Vanellope said, looking down and noticing that the woman was missing her right shoe. The Nicelander moaned, shaking her head.
"Ya caught me, eh?"
"Ms. Nel, you're not hurt are ya?" Ralph asked, Nel surprised by the wrecker's concern for her. She waved again, stopping the large man in his tracks.
"No, it's nothing I can't handle. Just didn't watch where I was goin' and ended up getting caught in another 'SURPRISE'."
"Surprise?" Vanellope asked, feeling a twinge of worry coming over her.
Maybe there were still some pranksters around. The aggravated look on the Nicelander's face sure made it seem like there were.
"It's nothing for you to worry about, kid." The Nicelander said "I've gotten used to people sprinin' up stupid stuff around me. Whether it's from the inside-!
The Nicelander stopped, something catching her attention from the corner of her eyes.
"OOOR from, AHEM! WITHIN THE HALLS OF THIS FINE APARTMENT."
Calhoun felt her ears twitch. She looked down the hall, catching a glimpse of something, or someone, dashing away. All she could see was ORANGE.
LOTS OF ORANGE.
"Lemme take a look at that…" Calhoun said as she kneeled down and looked at Nel's shoe. It was busted alright, whatever trap had caught the little woman had snapped the heel and torn a bit of the side. The marine snickered as she took the shoe in hand, standing well above Nel's reach.
"Felix can fix this right away, no problem."
"I'm trying not to worry him so much anymore." Nel puffed, well aware that Calhoun wasn't going to return her shoe any time "I mean, all these years? All our calls? I can handle a little shoe repair anyway! I fix up enough stuff as it is!"
Again, Nel saw the marine smirk but this time, Ralph and Vanellope noticed as well.
Was there something that the Cybug-killer was hiding?
"You've done so much already, ma'am! Let Felix fix it!"
"If you say so but there MUST be something I can do in return for bothering him!"
"Bothering him? Puh!" laughed Calhoun "It's that lil goof-ball's job ta fix things an' ya know how he gets when ya try ta hide things from him!"
Nel looked away, a bothered look on her face "YES. YES I DO."
"Tell ya what, how about this? In return for the shoe, why don't you help these two babies bake a pie! They could sure use tha lesson and Ms. Deanna isn't in sight!"
Nel didn't look so certain about giving the two a pie lesson. Sure, she had AGREED but now she was starting to have bit of second thoughts, Ralph seeing her hesitation as she stood before them.
This wasn't like the Nel he knew; Nel was usually so snappy around people, so hot-headed, so quick to retort. She was the SMALLEST of the SMALLEST, her actions her only means of making sure no one bothered her.
So why was she so nervous all of a sudden? Was it because of what had happened?
The woman sighed; there was no way she was going to win this fight.
"Okay, I just wish I had known ahead of time because my place? Well, it's kinda PACKED right now."
After parting with Calhoun, Nel lead Vanellope and Ralph to her apartment.
"Like I said, it's PACKED." The tiny Nicelander said, fiddling with her keys "Watch your steps!"
The door swung open, the two characters looking open a small apartment…filled with boxes of fabric, boxes of ribbons, bows, thread, boxes of-!
Various sewing things.
"Wow!" Vanellope said in awe "I don't think I've EVER seen this much clothes since I walked into Sakura's closet!"
"The closets?" called Nel from her bedroom, getting another pair of shoes "Oh, they're too full! I have to make room as much as I can!"
Ralph was astonished by the sight. Again, he was getting a full view of what the Nicelanders' lives looked like from the INSIDE rather than his view from the OUTSIDE and just like Lucy and Tony, Nel's home was revealing to him so much more. He looked off to the side, seeing a few dressed hanging on a stand, one of them being the very outfit she wore on the anniversary but there were others, so many others.
"Where did you get these things?" asked Ralph as he carefully ran his fingers through the collection "I'm sure you've made a few stores here happy!"
Nel walked out of her room, giving Ralph a look.
"Some STORE?"
That tone; that familiar tone.
The tone Nel would often use on the others to remind them that they had crossed the line with her. Nothing good ever came from it and now?
Now, Nel had given it to RALPH.
In an instant, Ralph's blood went cold and his skin paled. He KNEW he was in trouble.
But to his surprise, Nel smiled.
"HA. No, no, no. I didn't 'buy' these things."
"Were they programmed then?" asked Vanellope.
"NOPE." Nel snickered, going to the kitchen "I made them."
Ralph was floored; he looked around the apartment again seeing rows and rows of dresses and other articles of clothing lying around.
Nel had MADE them all by hand?
"I can tell you're quite SURPRISED, Ralphie-Boo." The Nicelander laughed to herself "It's not like stores carry Nicelander fitted attire anyway. After all these years, I've learned to expand my skills a bit."
"I-I can see…" the wrecker smiled bashfully "Didn't think ya could pack thirty years of dressed into a place like this."
"I TRY…." The woman said, an aggravated look on her face "I TRY."
The two could tell that something else was bothering the woman, hoping to the programmers it wasn't their presence before her, but Nel continued on as she searched her kitchen for the right amount of ingredients.
"Oh, had I known you guys were comin' I would have stocked up. I don't know if we'll have enough!"
"I think we can make due." said Ralph "Besides, this is all a learnin' experience for us."
"Well, it was gonna just be ME." Vanellope tittered "But then ol' butt-breath here tagged along."
"I can still leave at any time, ya know." grumbled the wrecker.
"Hey now, no fightin' in here!" the woman said, holding a large bottle of cream in her hands "I get enough from the guys on a daily basis! For once, I would like a bit of peace!"
Peace. That's all anyone wanted.
"C'mere, Vanellope." Nel said, waving towards the girl "I'm gonna teach ya how to make a pie the NEL way!"
Vanellope looked around the kitchen; the usual ingredients were there, some variations scattered about, but what Vanellope was more interested in was the filling. What type of surprise would she find tonight?
"What's your specialty, ?" Ralph asked as he looked around.
"Blackberry." The woman said "An old family recipe according to the story or whatever you want to call it. I guess it goes with all the other purple things in my life."
The little racer looked around; Nel's apartment WAS rather….VIOLET. It was just another color to set her apart from all the other Nicelander ladies.
"Ooh, it sounds tasty!" Vanellope said with a smile "I can't wait to make it!"
Nel smiled, feeling a bit happy herself that Vanellope would actually take the time to help her with her tasks. It wasn't as if the little woman was feeling a little skeptical herself after what had taken place but she knew better than to stay mad at the child, especially when was more than willing to take a hold of the mess and clean it up.
At least she was better than others in the past.
Ralph looked on, finding that due to the design of Nel's apartment, he couldn't fit into the kitchen area. He winced, trying his best not to bump his head.
Curse the design of the apartment, what was a nine foot man to do?
But looking down, he realized that Nel was so tiny herself that she had to use her own step-stool to reach the counter correctly.
Ralph might have been too big for Niceland but that didn't mean all the Nicelanders fit into their own home.
"Er, should I stand and watch?"
Nel looked up, sensing that the wrecker didn't want to be left out but at the same time didn't want to make any more of a mess than was already around.
"Hold on, big guy! I think-!"
Nel looked around; what could she have Ralph do?
"Ah-ha!"
The tiny Nicelander went for the cream and a jar.
"I know those arms of yours are powerful. Why don't you make some whipped butter for us! Er, SHAKEN I should say!"
"So you make your own butter for this?"
"Yup!" Nel said proudly as she poured the cream into the jar "It takes me a while to set everything up but I always want things to taste PERFECT for Felix! No fake stuffs goes into MY creations, no sir!"
First some fresh cream, then a tiny pinch of sugar. Everything was measured perfectly and sealed tight.
"Wanna make sure it's peeeerf!"
The woman then handed the jar over to Ralph "Just shake it up! With your hands, it should be ready in no time!"
"Ah, thank you ma'am." Ralph smiled, happy to help. He looked over at Vanellope, the girl busy away preparing the dough for the treats.
"Roll one, roll two!"
Vanellope looked at the ingredients as if she were preparing some sort of experiment, her eyes glued and her mind focused on nothing but the task ahead! She never thought she would get roped in so quickly but since she wanted to help and make everyone happy, this was a task she COULD not mess up.
Aside from that, she was from SUGAR RUSH! The LAND of sweets and treats!
If it got out that SHE of all people had messed up a pie, she would never live it down!
"I plan to make every pie PERFECTLY!" the girl said, fire in her eyes "Don't worry Ms. Nel! This will be tha BEST pie you've ever tasted!"
Hands on her hips, Nel chuckled a bit "O-kaaaay. Whatever ya say, kiddo!"
Vanellope began kneading the dough tiny fist pounding the stuff.
"HA! HO! HEY!"
"Okay, okay! I know you're excited!" Nel laughed "But you're makin' PIE, not beatin' someone into submission!"
Nel gently took the racer's hands away from the dough and began folding it neatly.
"Flip one, flip two. Like this."
Vanellope watched, taking in every movement that the Nicelander made. It was as if each of the tiny people had their own technique of getting everything just right, to make each pie their own.
"Wow….I wonder how they would go about makin' KARTS." Vanellope said to herself, her eyes still on the dough.
"How's the cream going?"
"Er, I think I have it right?" Ralph said, still a little confused to his assignment "Is it supposed to make a HISSING sound by now?"
Nel's eyes widened "GAH! I THINK YA SHOOK IT ENOUGH!"
Indeed he had.
Ralph looked down, noticing that the jar in his hand was shaking a bit, his added strength making a lot more than fresh sweet cream.
"Aw, COME O-!"
"IN HERE!" called Nel.
Ralph looked over, the Nicelander holding a large plastic food bin in her hands.
"I THINK IT'S GONNA BLOOOOOW!"
The wrecker gave a startled shout, nearly dropping the jar in his hands but he tumbled over, shaking the entire apartment as he managed to throw the cream into the bin! Nel SLAMMED the lid down and locked it, tossing it into the pantry as she grabbed ahold of Vanellope and dove onto the floor.
"TAKE COVER!"
*BOOM!*
There was a large muffled explosion from within the pantry, a few cans toppling over inside.
"Phew, that was close…" the Nicelander said as she got up and cautiously checked the situation. Thankfully, the bin was strong enough to contain the explosion from within and upon opening the box, Nel found that only the lid had popped off, the entire box filled with cream.
"Why did it EXPLODE like that?" Vanellope wondered "The only time I've seen butter explode was when Torvald used one of her Butter Bomb-Bomb Babies on the track!"
Ralph groaned, a miffed look on his face "Because STUPID. It exploded because of STUPID."
"Hmm, not if you ask me."
The two looked over, Nel tasting the cream.
"Mmm, it might have almost SLATHERED everything but hey! It came out perfect for use!"
"It did?"
"Yeah, good job Ralph!"
Ralph felt his cheeks blushing a bit at Nel's compliment.
Wow, a Nicelander giving Ralph such kind words. What his Anon Buddies would say to that.
"OH! HEY! I-I seem to have knocked some things over!" Ralph said, trying his best to cover up his blushing cheeks "L-Lemme just clean up here an' YOU TWO can finish up the pie."
Nel knew better; she could see Ralph's turning red a mile away but she played dumb anyway.
"Ooooh-KAAAY. Dun worry 'bout US!" the woman giggled, the man feeling even worse.
"Yeah, RAAAAAAAAAAALPH!" Vanellope sang, joining in "We can take care of ourseeeeelves!"
Ralph fumbled with the books and other things he had knocked over in his haste, stacking them up and putting them back as best he could.
But one book…
"Huh?"
Ralph noticed a sketch book with some lose papers, a few of them falling out as he picked it up. While he was surprised that Nel had made so many of her own dresses over the years, he had EXPECTED to see some sketches based around the typical Nicelander frame.
But the sketches he saw were NOT for a Nicelander.
No, they were taller, slimmer, the dresses flowing down to a beautiful train.
Was Nel working on something else for SOMEONE else?
His curiosity getting the better of him, Ralph kept looking through the book, page after page filled with variations of the same figure.
Who was this person? What were they making Nel do?
"So I just add honey to the mix?" Ralph head Vanellope say.
"Yes, just a bit now. You don't want to overpower the flavor of the berries."
"Of course not!"
Ralph continued to look, but as he flipped to the next page something caught his eye. This time, there was hand writing on the pages.
Add more room for legs.
Shorten train.
Choose a fabric that is breathable but still solid and strong.
Veil must match complexion of skin tone.
This was getting complicated; Nel really had a project on her hands, whatever it was.
Tammy approved!
Tammy?
Who was TAMMY?
Tammy?
Tamera?
….
CALHOUN?
The man let out a silent gasp, suddenly realizing just WHO Nel was making a dress for.
CALHOUN.
She was making a dress for CALHOUN! And it wasn't just ANY dress!
It was THE dress!
THE WEDDING DRESS!
Ralph didn't know what to say. Perhaps that was the reason Nel was so hesitant at first, being that she didn't want anyone to know what she was doing but as Ralph gazed upon the work again he didn't understand WHY. WHY would Nel hide such things? From the looks of things, the dress would be STUNNING for Calhoun as she walked down the aisle but was the Nicelander ever going to say anything? Was she ever going to talk?
"An' ya just put it in for an hour!"
"YEAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Vanellope cheered "One Blackberry Bomb ready!"
"Bomb?" Nel said with an arched brow "Don't tell me ya think so low of my pie ALREADY."
"Pfft, no!" the girl said "We just have a pie power-up called Blackberry Bomb! Cissy uses them like a pro, ya should see her!"
"Hmm, if that's the case…" Nel smirked "Perhaps I should use these bad boys as weapons here! Sure would get a few of the guys off my back!"
"M-Ms. Nel?"
Nel peered up, Ralph looking down at her with a stunned look on her face, the book in hand. It took a few seconds for Nel to realize what was going on but as soon as the scene hit her brain, the woman gasped loudly, her cheeks turning even redder than Ralph's had.
"RALPH!"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"NO!" the woman growled, getting very upset the wrecker "Darn it Ralph, I just wanted ya ta put things UP! Not look through my STUFF!"
"I-I'm SORRY!" the wrecker meeped, the tiny Nicelander YANKING the book from his hands "I-I just happened to see the page on the dress and-!"
Now Nel was even MORE upset, the woman standing before Ralph as if he had wrecked her entire apartment. The surprise then turned to anger as she stomped towards the man.
"What?! Ya have somethin' ya wanna say about my work, TOO?!"
"No, no, no!" the wrecker said, trying to calm things down "I-I just wanted to COMPLIMENT on them!"
"Whoa, whoa, WHOA! Miss, calm down!" Vanellope said as she glitched for the Nicelander, her hands out between her and Ralph "Ralph didn't mean any harm!"
"URGH! Why does EVERYONE have to go through my STUFF like this?!" Nel shouted "Can't people just ASK instead of harkin' on me!"
"Ms. Nel, cool down!" Ralph said, not sure whether to take her by the shoulder or not. Who knew if he would have a hand LEFT if he did so "Okay, I know I shouldn't have going through your books like that but….but-!"
The woman glared up at Ralph, tapping her foot on the ground.
He had to recover from this. He didn't want to end the day on a sour note.
"A-Ah-um…..if I can be honest? I-I don't know why ya hide 'em….."
Nel sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. At least Ralph was being sweet enough in the situation and it wasn't as if he had PURPOSELY gone through her things.
"Sorry…" the woman said "Knee-jerk reaction. It kinda happens when things like this keep poppin' up in your face."
"Oh?" Ralph asked, Nel trying to tidy up the area around him "what do ya mean?"
Nel didn't say anything, stopping in the middle of the room. She rubbed her arm, kicking herself that she had allowed herself to get caught up like this. If she were in her right mood, she would have been able to do something, SAY something!
Vanellope walked over to the woman, not sure what to do to comfort her.
"Ms. Nel?"
Nel knew she was going to have to say something, least the two leave in a glum mood. Clutching onto the book, the tiny woman in purple took a deep breath.
She had to do this.
"Lemme guys, big guy…." Nel began "Ya wanna know if this is real, RIGHT?"
The wrecker nodded, Vanellope beside him wondering just what was going on. Nel took a deep breath, the book clutched in her hands, the cover pressed against her chest.
"Yeee-AH…." She meeped, eyes darting "Felix and Tammy? Theeeey….they asked me to help with the wedding dress."
"WHAT?!" Vanellope gasped, eyes wide and bright "THAT-! THAT IS SO AWESOME!"
"I guess it is…." Nel replied, sounding LESS than enthralled.
"Can I see, can I see?" the racer squealed, wanting to take a look for herself.
"Sure, knock yourself out."
The girl took the sketch book and looked through the drawings, eyes going this way and that as she looked in wonder.
"Wooooow! These look really good, Ms. Nel! Why would ya hide 'em?"
"First off, thanks for the compliment young lady an' ZWEI-!"
The Nicelander paused again, trying her best to hold her tongue.
"Urg, it's stupid. Don't worry about it."
"Now, Nel…" Ralph said in a slightly scolding manner "Somethin' is boterin' ya, I can tell an' as much as I DO know about ya, ya NEVER let anythin' bother ya like this! I know ya too well!"
"DO YOU?" the Nicelander huffed, a brow arched "Do ya know me so well, Ralph?"
"Maybe I don't." the man replied, his voice solid "But I would like to start making up for lost time starting NOW. What is bothering you about this?"
Dare Nel really reveal the truth? Only one other person KNEW the reason why and even HE knew the consequences that would happen to him should he allow his tongue to wag on too much.
But this was Ralph she was talking to. She had spent so many years being afraid of him and this was the first time she had actually let him get this close to her. She had seen how he acted, she had seen his true heart and dedication.
Maybe he was different. Maybe he wouldn't be like the others.
Maybe….
Maybe she could talk to him.
"Nel?"
"Alright….fine. Ya got it outa me, big guy." The Nicelander groaned "Yeah, I will admit that I nearly sailed through the ROOF when Felix told Tammy…"
"YOU get to call her Tammy and not ME?" Ralph pouted.
Nel smirked evilly at Ralph, tapping the side of her nose "Us girlies gotta stick together, ya know."
Even after everything he had done for the arcade, people were STILL messing with Ralph.
"Honestly though? I didn't want to put any worries on Felix an' Tammy, that's all."
"Worries? What do ya mean?"
"This is supposed ta be a big thing, Ralph!" Nel blurted "I wanna make sure that Tammy looks her best when she walks down the aisle an' the LAST thing she needs is a buncha people mockin' her once they find out that a NICELANDER made her dress!"
"Why would that be an issue?" asked Vanellope "Your dresses look pretty!"
"Again, thanks for the compliment. It's something I wish a few others here shared."
"In Niceland?"
"No, the arcade." The Nicelander sighed as she sat down "It's not like they have enough ammo to toss around at us. Imagine what they would whisper to Calhoun if they knew someone like ME had made her dress."
"I doubt they would say ANYTHIN', Nel." Said Ralph.
"Oh yes!" the woman nodded "Oh, YES they would! I haven't been in this arcade some thirty odd years without hearin' someone toss some comments our way about our particular brand of fashion."
Nel turned her eyes on the timer, a poor way of trying to distract herself from the conversation.
"Oooor….from havin' someone try to lay their HANDS on me as well."
A big man had big ears; Ralph had heard every word "What was that, ma'am?"
The Nicelander narrowed her eyes, going back to a memory she always tried to prevent from bothering her.
"I should be so lucky I've done so much sewing over the years, guys." The woman said "When people try to 'flat tire' the skirt of your dress as a joke, sewin' know-how comes in handy. So many rips, so many seams."
The woman turned on her heels, looking at the large work area in her apartment.
"But ya gotta keep buildin'. With every tear, ya gotta mend it. With every rip, ya gotta sew it! When someone made a break, I just put it back together!"
"Ouch…" Vanellope winced "I-I kinda know how that feels."
"Nah, I don't think Tammy would like to be LAUGHED at down the aisle…granted, she would probably blow their faces off if they did but still! I don't want her to go through any second-hand embarrassment because of ME! She deserves some happiness, the girl!"
"If it bothers you that much, then why did ya say yes?" asked Ralph. Nel stopped, twirling a curl in her hair.
"I said it before. She deserves some happiness in her life! And they both seemed to excited to have me work on it!"
The woman faltered, as if she had suddenly become much too bashful to continue.
"And Felix?" the woman said, biting her lip "Felix was just going out of his way to say so many nice things about me while the whole thing was going on. 'Ya should see Nel's design for THAT!' or 'Jimmany JAMMANY! I knew I picked the right person for the job!"
Felix.
He always knew what to do to make the day better.
"Can I admit that I was a lil worried when Felix brought Tammy here?" Nel sighed.
"Why? I know she can be a bit intimidatin' but what reason was there to be so worried?"
"I expected her to act like everyone else, I guess." The Nicelander continued "You spend thirty years in an arcade surrounded by people are just ITCHIN' for any excuse to use you as a bowling ball, you do tend to get a little agro sometimes."
No wonder Nel could be a little rough at times. With so many people above her, she had to act out to get them away.
"Plus, considering she got the full story of what we did to you, I was really expecting her to join in with everyone to 'teach us a lesson' and put us in our place…" the woman continued "Such an easy thing to do when the people who you're pushing around don't have a snowballs chance at fightin' back…."
"Now Nel…"
"I'm SERIOUS!" the woman said "Ya can betcha bricks that if we were like….I don't know, NORMAL-SIZED half of the people around here wouldn't say JACK to us but hey, that's the way things are!"
The woman took a breath, some of the tension easing off of her. She smiled, Vanellope and Ralph taking notice.
"But ya know somethin'? That girl really took me for a surprise….."
Nel looked around her apartment, seeing just how much of her work was spread around. She smiled , thinking back to what the repairman and marine had told her.
"She was one of the first people here who had me stuttering around like some school-kid. But then she just put a hand on my shoulder and told me she would listen. You have no idea how wonderful it is to finally someone who listens!"
"I…I think I do…" Ralph said "We BOTH do."
The Nicelander looked over at the man, eyes wide. The man was right; he DID know the joys that came with finally finding someone who would take the time to listen, to see the real you rather than what others had made you out to be.
Vanellope had been that grace for Ralph but as both wrecker and racer were learning, it seemed that Felix AND Calhoun was that grace for the Nicelanders.
Calhoun didn't have to come to Nel. She could have gone to ANY dressmaker in the arcade for her gown.
But instead, she went to a little dressmaker in purple.
She had gone to Nel. She didn't have to at all, she didn't have to after the way she had turned away from Ralph but she did.
"I guess it's silly of me to try to put on some act, isn't it?" Nel laughed to herself.
"What do you mean, ma'am?" Vanellope asked.
"Felix an' Tammy saw right through me! The more we talked, the more excited I got. I couldn't hold back a thing when we got on about what I could make, I got so carried away!"
Nel settled down, her hands held together.
"They were so nice. They were so nice to me even with the way I had treated you, Ralph."
Ralph again felt his cheeks flaring. The incidents in the past were starting to come together the more he talked to the Nicelanders, finding that their fear of him wasn't simply a matter of Ralph being 'the bad guy'.
There were reasons for it, reasons that Ralph had never thought to look into.
The Nicelanders were scared, they Nicelanders were angry and the more he looked into it, it was coming from some of the same people in the arcade who had also feared him for being a bad guy.
It was becoming clearer and clearer that bad guys were not the only people who had to slog through their daily routine day in and day out but as Gene had told him earlier, the Nicelanders never had their own support group to go to. They didn't have their circle of NPCs to remind them they had a reason to be in the game.
They had EACH OTHER but even then it still wasn't enough. It still wasn't enough to stop the fear to form, to stop them from eventually seeing Ralph in the same light as those who had pushed them around.
"Were people REALLY that bad before we got here?" asked the Vanellope "I tried asking the guys, but everything is a blur to them, King Candy did that much to their memories."
"It was a lot rougher, if I can say that…" Nel nodded "A LOT rougher. I guess I should be thankful that things are starting to clear but back in the day? Well, let's say I've had a few run ins or two….had to kick some people in the shins a few times."
"Ouch."
"Heh, with these heels? Ya know it!" the Nicelander laughed.
"Still though, tha Sarge is a cool person! There's no reason to be scared of her!" smiled Vanellope.
"She's one of the good ones." Nel retorted "At least she didn't go on an all-out attack on us because of Ralph. She's shown to be one of the few people who DOESN'T want to use us as footballs."
Nel smirked devilishly, a twinkle in her eye.
"A'COURSE, I wouldn't mind if she threw Gene about. Would be good at teachin' him not ta steal everythin' in my fridge!"
"I'M THE MAYOR, NEL!" the group heard a voice call from down the hall "I CAN EAT WHATEVER I WANT!"
Nel ran towards the door, throwing it open as she stuck her head out "Not when it's in my APARTMENT, DOUBLE-STUFF!"
"Oh, save it all for NORWOOD eh?!"
"GENE!"
"Saaay, is that why I saw so many things labaled 'Nory's Stuff' in your fridge?"
"SAY, would you like ice cream with your pie?" Nel smiled, "Kids LOOOOVE ice cream with pie, RIGHT?!"
"UH."
*DING!*
"An' just in time too!" Nel said as she leapt up and ran over to the oven, pulling the bubbling, golden-crusted treat out of the oven "Everyone ready?"
Vanellope was nearly drooling, the smell of the pie lifting her off the ground as she floated over "What? Food? Me? Why, YES!"
Pie and ice cream went all around as the three enjoyed the fruits of their labors and as he was enjoying what had to be his third slice, Ralph took one more glance at the dresses around him. His eyes returned to Nel, the woman laughing as Vanellope regaled her with a tale from Sugar Rush, the man smiling.
This was all ever wanted. He just wanted to feel at home and to see people enjoying himself. It was so sad that people didn't think it was possible or that the wrecker should even try to get along with his neighbors but as he sat there, he knew he was going through something he would have to be a fool to pass up.
"Say, do you make costumes too?" asked the racer. Nel cleared her throat, her eyes looking towards the wall.
"Costumes? Costuuumes? I….I have NO idea what you're implyin' there, kid!"
"I think people should know."
Nel and Vanellope turned towards Ralph, the big man sitting comfortably them, his tiny tea plate in his hands.
"Excuse me, young man?"
The big wrecker took a dainty bite of the pie, looking down at Nel "I said, they should know YOU made that dress. It's crazy if ya don't'."
"Ralph, don't get roped into this. It's my business to go through, not yours."
"Let me ask, Miss Nel. What good is it gonna do for ya if ya keep everythin' all bunched up in here?"
"I can tell ya what!" Vanellope said matter-of-factly "NOTHIN' that's what! I had ta hide most of my life an' lemme tell ya! It was tha PITS! Always worryin'!"
Yes, Nel did worry.
"Always scared someone would toss ya when ya stepped outta line!"
Yes, Nel felt that as well.
"Havin' a buncha people rushin' up ta ya, pokin' an' lookin' down on ya for some stupid reason!"
Boy, did Nel feel that way if ever.
The woman felt goosebumps form on her skin as Vanellope continued to talk. It was just so odd how the little girl shared so much with her, and she had only know Vanellope existed only a few days ago.
Maybe there was something to Ralph's words. Maybe there was something to Vanellope's. The tiny Nicelander had promised herself that after nearly losing her home she would be more adventurous in some things, she would try to be as open as she was in Niceland to the rest of the arcade. She wanted to do that, she wanted to feel much more comfortable in her own home.
And maybe the dress was just the starting point.
"How things have turned…." Nel grinned.
"What do ya mean?"
"Look at us Ralph!" the woman laughed "Days ago, I was worryin' 'bout how I would make it out there in the station after our game was unplugged. I was wondering how things would have been different if I showed off as much courage towards you as I have attempted towards so many others. There have been so many things I wish could I change from the past, Ralph. So many things I've done towards you…."
Ralph and Vanellope looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
"But here we are. You're the one givin' me the talk!"
"A-an' what do ya think of me? I mean, IT?" Ralph stumbled.
"Thanks."
"W-what?"
"Thanks big guy…." Nel smiled, her cheeks rosy and warm "It really does mean a lot to me to hear things like this. It…"
The woman had to stop, hoping that she didn't appear too vulnerable before the two. She did have a reputation to keep within the apartments after all!
"It means a lot to know that somewhere, someone doesn't think I'm useless and that I can do more."
Ralph reached over and put a hand gently on Nel's shoulder "Hey. Rest assured, I do not think you're useless, Ms. Nel. NONE of your guys are useless."
Nel smiled up at the wrecker. She had never thought that a person whom she had once feared would be saying such kind things to her.
While there were some words of the arcade she wished she could block out, there were a few that rang true.
Ralph was a good guy. A VERY good guy.
"Aw, you're just sayin' this to get more pie from me!" Nel cackled, brushing Ralph's hand off of her "Boy, you got another thing comin'!"
"Gah, WHAT!?"
"Ya want pie!?" Nel smirked "Then move your big booty into that kitchen an' make it yourself!"
"Wait a second!" Ralph stammered, suddenly feeling corned by the tiny woman "I just wanted to make ya feel better! I wasn't tryin' ta get anythin' from-!"
"OFF YOUR DUFF!" Nel ordered and much to the larger man's surprise, he found himself SPRINGING off the chair, his head hitting the ceiling.
"OW!"
"Ya were my student only for a few hours! Now it's YOUR turn to make the pies!"
"But didn't ya say ya didn't have enough ingredients?!" Ralph moaned, rubbing his hair.
"Oh-ho-ho! I can just go down to the community kitchen and get a few!" the woman tittered, Vanellope mirroring her movements.
"YEAAAH, RALPHIE-BOO! We wants PIE!"
"VANELLOPE!"
"Or do I need to call the Sarge here?" grinned the Nicelander "I'm sure SHE would LOOOOVE to hear how you're misbehavin'!"
Before Ralph knew what was going on, he found himself hunched in the tiny kitchen, a frilly purple apron tied upon his huge frame as he carefully rolled out another portion of dough for his FIFTH pie that night.
"How did I get into this mess?" the man grumbled "This was supposed ta be VANELLOPE'S punishment! Not mine!"
"MISS NEEEEEEEEEEEEL!" Vanellope sang "I think someone needs to call Calhoun!"
"I think I will, DEAR!"
"Urgh! Alright, I'm makin' tha pies!" Ralph growled, pouring the berries into the crust.
"Oh! Extra honey in that one!" said Vanellope "I wanna see how it taste!"
"Don't make me bake ya into a pie, kid."
"So Ms. Nel…" the girl grinned, ignoring the wrecker "What do ya think about redoin' one of my old dresses? I find the collar MUCH too tight!"