*Chapter 18*
About two weeks has passed in the arcade. Ralph and Vanellope would occasionally hang out with their big group of friends, but they avoided alone time together. Vanellope hardly had the courage to directly speak to him. She knew this whole issue was blown out of proportion, but they both bumbled and clumsily tripped over the situation, both not certain how to correct things. Vanellope board the Power Strip Train with Taffyta after the arcade day was over. She was happy Taffyta decided to tag along, after they resolved their blow out.
"Are you still having a hard time seeing Ralph?" Taffyta asked gently. "Yes," Vanellope sighed as she gave Taffyta a small, worried look, "I feel silly for everything that happened. It was just a misunderstanding, but now everything is so awkward between us."
"It's only awkward because you guys are sort of stuck in an inbetween," Taffyta explained.
"In-between?" Vanellope questioned.
"You two don't know whether you're friends, or boyfriend girlfriend," Taffyta said gently.
"I guess that makes sense," Vanellope swallowed hard, "I don't think he'd ever want to be my boyfriend."
"I completely beg to differ," Taffyta laughed. Vanellope gave her a look.
"I don't think Ralph is that kind of guy, Taffyta," Vanellope laughed, "I think our kiss was nothing but a testing ground."
"Testing ground?" Taffyta exclaimed, "Vin, the poor guy stormed out when you said that kiss meant nothing to you."
"I just don't know how I'm feeling," Vanellope frowned, "The kiss was amazing, and he's my best friend, but what if it didn't work out between us?"
"Why wouldn't it?" Taffyta asked.
"Well, he's hot tempered and has always been a solo kind of guy. I'm competitive and, we both have never been in that position before," Vanellope frowned, "I just fear things taking off in a different direction from the norm, only to come crashing down. We'd be left with nothing but a broken friendship, and a broken group of friends."
"Vanellope, you're pointing out all the flaws in this situation. Have you ever tried looking at what positive things could happen? You never know what will happen if you don't just take that leap of faith," Taffyta calmly explained, "Things could turn out beautifully and you'd never know because you were too scared to take things further. It's obvious he wants your friendship stepped up to the next level. It's about time you guys wreck the limits."
"I can't tell you how badly I want that," Vanellope breathed.
"Then what's the problem?" Taffyta urged as the train pulled to a slow stop.
"I just got him back, Taffyta," Vanellope frowned as both girls, and everyone on the train, stood, "I don't want to lose him yet again. It's bad enough his game is practically eons across the grid."
"Long distance relationships can work," Taffyta urged as they stepped into Game Central Station.
"I'm just taking it one step at a time," Vanellope explained as they walked through their old home, Game Central Station.
"Valentine's Day is next week," Taffyta said casually, "I don't suppose you're-"
"Yes, Taffyta, I'm going to the arcade's Valentine's Day party," Vanellope rushed.
"Where is it held this year?" Taffyta asked as she gave Vanellope a knowing look.
"Game Central Station," Vanellope muttered under her breath as they entered Ralph's outlet.
"Game Central Station, wow," Taffyta nudged Vanellope, "Would you look at that!"
"I will hurt you," Vanellope snapped playfully as they two girls vanished into Ralph's game.
The two girls got off of the train into Ralph's game and slowly made their way to the Niceland building. They were surprised to see everyone gathered outside the large building, including Ralph. There was a small crowd of taller people around the Nicelanders, all of them looked confused and sad. Vanellope wrinkled her nose as both girls halted to a stop.
"Who are those guys?" Vanellope asked.
"It, looks like the crew from Street Fighter," Taffyta said in an unsure voice.
"Do you think we came at a bad time?" Vanellope said as she took a step backwards, Taffyta grabbed her arm.
"No, I'm sure it's fine," Taffyta urged, "Let's see what's going on."
"I can fix up a few more houses, no problem!" Felix chimed happily. Only a select few of the Street Fighter characters were present.
"Hey, guys," Taffyta said nervously as her and Vanellope approached. Ralph waved gently.
"What's going on?" Vanellope asked.
"Street Fighter 3 got unplugged," Felix said sadly, "Only these guys survived the unplug."
"I'm so sorry," Vanellope said gently to the three remaining fighters.
"We've offered them room here," Ralph said.
"We really appreciate it," said one, he had brown hair and large muscles, "This is Makoto and Ibuki, and I'm Ryu."
"I think our game cabinet is becoming a shelter for those who have lost their games," Felix laughed as everyone began to make their way around the Niceland building. Ralph kept up with the group as Taffyta and Vanellope strayed behind, keeping in toe in the rest of the group.
"You have large hands," Ibuki stated to Ralph with a loud laugh, "Are you a fighter?"
"No, I just wreck things," Ralph said with a smile, inspecting his hands.
"That's really cool," Ibuki said in a charming way.
Taffyta shot Vanellope a nervous look and noticed her face was turning red. Ibuki was tall and curvy, her outfit was revealing and her black hair was slicked back into a ponytail, sharing that feature with Vanellope. She was tough and abrasive, but she had a charming, sly approach. Vanellope could immediately feel her blood boil. Taffyta put a hand on her shoulder to quell her.
"Maybe you can teach me some of your wrecking moves," Ibuki smiled as she nudged Ralph.
"Yeah," Ralph breathed, "Maybe some fighting moves might make my game seem a bit more lively."
"Ibuki will do anything to learn new moves," Makoto laughed, he seemed shy.
"You guys will be fine here," Felix said as he fixed up a large house for the three fighters, "Looks like we're already hitting it off."
"Thank you, Fix It," Ryu said humbly, "We appreciate your hospitality. We've suddenly been tossed into this devastating situation, we've lost almost everyone from our game."
"We're sorry for your loss," Ralph said gently as he rubbed the back of his head, the whole group somber, "Is there's anything else you need?"
"Just to hopefully move past this without too much trouble," Ryu said with a small nod, Ibuki and Matoko nodded as well.
"We can continue fighting everyday once the arcade closes," Ibuki said in an energetic way as she shifted on her feet, she gently punched Ralph's arm, "I think this guy can teach us a thing or two."
"Ralph?" Vanellope choked with a laugh, Ralph shot her a look, "I'm sorry, Ralph doesn't fight."
"He doesn't?" Ibuki questioned as she gave Ralph a sad look, "Surely his wrecking skills will come in handy somehow. I want to stay sharp."
"Well if there's one thing he knows how to do, its wreck things," Vanellope snapped, trying to seem spirited, "LOTS of things," Ralph furrowed his brow at her.
"Pick on someone your own size, Vin," Ralph barked playfully, but with a hint of seriousness.
"I'm just saying," Vanellope said cooly, "If you want fighting tips, I don't think Ralph is the person for the job."
"Why do you have candy in your hair?" Ibuki asked as she wrinkled her nose, suddenly the group became tense. Ryu rolled his eyes as him, Felix and Matoko stepped into their new home.
"Why are you hardly wearing any clothes?" Vanellope said loudly as she stood up taller, feeling annoyed that Ibuki was taller than her. Taffyta grabbed her arm and began pulling her away.
"Ohhhkay," Taffyta chuckled as she waved at Ralph and Ibuki, "It was nice to meet you and your game mates, we're on our way to Hero's Duty now. Bye guys!"
"Psh," Vanellope spat as she shot Ibuki a look. She glanced at Ralph, his facial expression dull and annoyed.
"That's just great, Vanellope, these fighters just lost their home and you're going to treat her like that?" Taffyta hissed in a whisper as the two headed towards the game train in hopes of leaving.
"They lost their home, I've been replaced, its all great right?" Vanellope smiled sarcastically, "Ibuki and Ralph can muck it up all day long now that she lives with him practically."
"I think you're reading too far into this, Vanellope," Taffyta laughed as they trucked out of Ralph's game and into their outlet, "I doubt Ralph wants to replace you, that's just absurd."
"We'll see," Vanellope rolled her eyes and her and Taffyta made their way over to Hero's Duty.
