*Chapter 39*
"Hey Felix," Ralph smiled as he opened the large castle door. It creaked open as Felix waved a little, "Where's Calhoun and Tammy?"
"They're both taking a small morning nap," Felix smiled as Ralph let him in. They both made their way to the long hall that led to the kitchen, "Taffyta said we were welcome for her special breakfast, this morning. When did you get here? We missed you last night."
"I-I, uh," Ralph rubbed the back of his head and nervously looked down, "I slept here last night."
"You did?" Felix said curiously before widening his eyes in a knowing way, "Oh, I see."
"Yeah," Ralph coughed, his face red.
"Do you do this often?" Felix sneered as he nudged his arm. Ralph chuckled.
"Nope, this was the first time," Ralph said gently as the two entered the kitchen.
"And probably not the last," Felix teased with a smile as he looked out at the three girls in their pjs. All three girls greeted Felix happily, but kept their eyes fixed on Ralph. Ralph nervously stepped closer as they eagerly gazed at him; he softly sat back down as Felix joined them, taking a seat next to Ralph.
"Why are you guys staring at me?" Ralph suddenly barked as he threw his large hands up. Taffyta and Candlehead bursted out in a fit of giggling. Vanellope heaved a hard sigh, her face beet red. She shoved her head into the nook of her arms on the marble counter top.
"Can we just drop it already?" Vanellope groaned into her arms. She swallowed hard and gently peeked one eye out at Taffyta.
"Are you wearing Ralph's shirt?" Felix asked innocently. Taffyta and Candlehead burst out laughing again as Vanellope shoved her forehead farther into her arms and the counter. Ralph chuckled and pat her back sympathetically.
"Yes she is," Taffyta laughed as Candlehead came alongside her to help her frost the donuts she made.
"I'm not hungry anymore," Vanellope barked a complain as she threw a hand up.
"Why are you wearing Ralph's shirt?" Felix chuckled, almost nervously. Everyone darted their eyes to Ralph, his face practically purple.
"I can throw a donut at Vanellope again if you're too embarrassed to tell Felix why she's wearing your shirt," Taffyta said with an eager chuckle as she readied another one of her unfrosted donuts. Vanellope quickly lifted her head and inhaled sharply.
"Don't you d-" Before she could finish, Taffyta rocketed another donut at her, hitting her square on the forehead. Vanellope winced as the code on her face suddenly glitched and wigged for a second, showing its electric purple binary. Ralph groaned a chuckle and buried his face in his large hands, his elbows awkwardly slumped on the counter top. Vanellope glared at Taffyta.
"Vanellope, has your code always been purple?" Felix asked, confused. He then gaped and widened his eyes, chuckling a little. He lulled his head and beamed at Ralph, "Ralph, you dog."
"Code swap, code swap!" Taffyta and Candlehead chimed, their laughter abundant. Ralph chuckled and couldn't help but smile at all the attention.
"Alright, you guys," Ralph barked with a smile, "I think everyone has the idea."
"I think they have more than just an idea," Vanellope muttered.
"Alright, alright, enough teasing for now… The donuts are done!" Taffyta beamed as she slid them all onto a large plate and set them in the middle of the island. Everyone immediately reached for one and began munching.
"Thanks, Taff," Vanellope finally smiled as she took a bite of her donut. She looked over to Ralph to see if he liked them or not. He inspected it for a second before easily shoving the whole thing into his mouth. Vanellope widened her eyes and giggled a closed-mouth giggle.
"You hungry, Ralph?" Taffyta said sarcastically. Felix glanced at Ralph curiously before rolling his eyes. Ralph slumped his shoulders.
"What?" Ralph complained as he chewed, "Wow, these ARE good."
"Thank you, thank you," Taffyta laughed as she playfully bowed.
"What do you guys have planned to do for the rest of Spring Break?" Felix asked with a smile as everyone munched their breakfast.
"Ohh, we should go up to Honeydew Ridge," Candlehead beamed, "It's pretty much considered the top of Sugar Rush."
"That sounds like fun," Taffyta said with a smile, "I love Honeydew Ridge."
"Guys, that's a whole entire days' worth of a trek," Vanellope said gently.
"Well, why don't we just camp there, then?" Taffyta asked with a smile, "We did that last winter, remember?"
"That was a lot of fun," Candlehead nodded.
"Yeah until that swarm of bees attacked me," Vanellope furrowed her brow.
"That was pretty funny," Taffyta grinned as her and Candlehead exchanged knowing glances.
"I've only gone camping once," Vanellope said gently.
"I've camped on a heaping pile of bricks and garbage my whole life, does that count?" Ralph said, disgruntled.
"I think sleeping in the garbage is a few steps below camping outdoors," Taffyta chuckled, "So yeah, that counts."
"I don't think my back will ever be the same ever again," Ralph muttered in annoyance, "But camping sounds interesting. What's so special about Honeydew Ridge?"
"It's the highest ridge in all of Sugar Rush," Vanellope beamed, "You can practically touch the stars. The Honeydew Forest is one of the prettiest in this whole game. We used to have an old race track that ran through it."
"Why don't you, anymore?" Ralph asked.
"The Honeydew Forest is spectacular during the day, but at night, there have been some weird happenings," Taffyta said seriously.
"Most of Sugar Rush's lore and scary stories comes from Honeydew Forest," Candlehead said, "But the mystery just adds to the fun."
"Many people have said to have found Vanilla Lake in Honeydew Forest," Taffyta added with an eager smile.
"I'm sure it's in there somewhere," Vanellope said plainly before her and Ralph casually caught eyes, both of them subtly smiling knowingly at each other.
"Sounds interesting," Felix said cheerfully.
"Felix, you going to come as well?" Taffyta asked with a smile.
"I don't think so," Felix rubbed the back of his head, "It was hard enough getting Calhoun out to the beach. I think Calhoun might like if I stay and help out with Tammy. But I'm sure you guys will have a blast!"
"Well, you will be missed," Taffyta said with a smile.
"Oh great, I'm going to be surrounded by you smarties. Are you sure you guys will be able to fit in said cabin with me?" Ralph chuckled before looking around, "I don't really want to sleep outside."
"You'll fit just fine," Vanellope said sneered, "Our cabin is pretty big."
"Joy," Taffyta rolled her eyes playfully, "We might have to separate Ralph and Vanellope or else things might get awkward during the night."
"Taffyta, I-" Candlehead started nervously but Vanellope interrupted her.
"Oh, will you, KNOCK IT OFF!" Vanellope hollered deeply before she suddenly slammed her fists down on the counter in a quick rage. Upon her action, the beautiful marble counter cracked practically in half. Everyone at the island flinched and froze as the counter and floors trembled suddenly with her action. Everyone's plates jolted and donuts bounced in the air before everything finally settled. Vanellope gazed down at the counter in wide eyed shock, she too was frozen.
"Uh, Vin," Candlehead started nervously after a few seconds of silence. She lifted her plate off of the shattered counter, "How did you do that?"
"I-I don't know," Vanellope worried as she gazed down at her open palms. She shot a look of uncertainty to Taffyta, who looked humbled by the whole thing.
"Did you put steroids in these donuts?" Candlehead said with a laugh to Taffyta. Taffyta chuckled and rolled her eyes before averting her gaze to Vanellope.
"How did you manage that?" Ralph chuckled in disbelief as he gently, and nervously, put his hand on Vanellope's back. He smiled in a proud way.
"I was just playing," Taffyta said nervously as she gazed at her sister in an apologetic way. Vanellope frowned at her and sighed.
"I-I don't know how I did that, I just was going to state my frustration," Vanellope said in a worried way, "I've never been strong, or mad, enough to shatter pure marble, or anything for that matter, before."
"Well, as much as you hate to talk about it, I think it's because Ralph's code is a part of yours, now," Taffyta stated calmly as she gestured towards Ralph.
"I'm a wrecker now?" Vanellope exclaimed as she gazed at Ralph in a curious way.
"Does that make me a racer suddenly?" Ralph chuckled, his face red.
"Who knows," Taffyta laughed, "You had that strength in you because you have Ralph's programming in you now."
"Interesting," Vanellope beamed down at her hands eagerly, "That was exciting. Now I truly don't understand why you don't like your job."
"Try doing that for over thirty years solid," Ralph sighed, "It gets old, believe me."
"You should probably lay off the the teasing, Taff," Candlehead said with a chuckle as both girls eyed Vanellope nervously.
"Yeah," Vanellope barked as she put her fists up, "Ralph can't hit a girl, but I certainly can."
"You wouldn't," Taffyta rolled her eyes as Felix sheepishly pulled out his hammer.
"I can fix it," Felix sighed as he hammered the counter to perfection, "It's bad enough having one wrecker, around."
"I'm not going to wreck anything else," Vanellope said in an annoyed tone as she stood to put her glass in the sink. She grabbed it too firmly, causing it to suddenly shatter in her grip. Vanellope gasped and shook her hand free of shattered glass and milk that spilled everywhere. Everyone gazed at her in pure shock.
"Spoke too soon," Ralph breathed as he cocked an eyebrow at her.
"I-I'm okay I'm fine! I think I just need to calm down," Vanellope heaved a sharp breath as Felix leaned over to fix it. She wrinkled her nose, wanting to change the subject, "I'm excited to go camping, however."
"You should get packing," Felix chimed as he nudged Ralph.
"Meet us back here in an hour, Ralph," Taffyta called as the two boys started to leave, "We'll be ready to leave then!"
"Will do," Ralph said as he waved a little
"Thanks for breakfast Taffyta!" Felix chimed happily.
"Nooo problem," Taffyta chuckled as she gazed back at Vanellope, who was at the kitchen sink, in a sly way. The two boys slowly left.
"Taffyta," Vanellope breathed in annoyance as she could feel Taffyta's stare on the back of her head.
"I'm sorry I frustrated you," Taffyta said with a small, apologetic chuckle, "There's just so much excitement going on. You two are like little flowers, blossoming away!" She teased.
"I just want to be taken seriously, is that too much to ask?" Vanellope barked as she turned around and gazed at her two sisters sadly, "I know everything is different now, but I still sometimes feel as if I'm treated like the game glitch."
"We don't view you that way," Candlehead said sadly as she glanced at Taffyta. Taffyta sighed and frowned as well, almost in annoyance.
"Sorry, Vin," Taffyta said gently as she put her hand on Vanellope's shoulder, "I tease you and Ralph because I really like you guys together."
"You do?" Vanellope asked gently as her eyes turned glassy, "Sure seems like you tease just because it's something to do."
"Vanellope" Taffyta complained with a knowing smile as Vanellope rubbed her eye, trying to look subtle. Taffyta took in a deep, patient breath and lulled her head a little, "You know I care about you and Ralph, so much. We all do. What you guys have is so special. We're just excited, can you blame us?"
"All this teasing is really starting to overwhelm me," Vanellope said through a sniffle, "Last night was a lot to take in as it was. You try rewriting your code with someone. It may seem like all fun and games, but it's mentally exhausting…"
"I'm sorry," Taffyta said earnestly, "You know we just tease you guys 'cause we care, right?"
"Thanks, Taff," Vanellope sighed as she looked down and sniffled. Taffyta gently pulled Vanellope into her arms and hugged her sister tight. Vanellope chuckled and hugged her back.
"You're my little glitch of a sister," Taffyta beamed as she squeezed Vanellope in her arms, "I'm happy you've found someone that has made you happier than I have ever seen you."
"I love him so much," Vanellope said as tears gently streamed her face, "I just don't want my crazy sisters to freak him out and drive him away."
"If we haven't driven him away by this point," Candlehead started as she came and joined the group hug, "I don't think anything could."
"I know, he thinks we're a riot," Taffyta laughed as Vanellope clung onto her, "You've added a great addition to our family, there, Vin. Ralph is the coolest big brother we've ever had."
"Agreed," Candlehead chuckled as the three girls smiled happily. They each let go of each other as Taffyta put her hands on Vanellope's shoulders firmly. She shook her a little, as if to get her full attention.
"But, just because you're part wrecker now doesn't give you any excuses to tear up the castle," Taffyta laughed as Vanellope chuffed a chuckle and wiped her face of tears.
"Or tear up our faces," Candlehead added as Taffyta nodded.
"I-I think it only works if I'm angry," Vanellope said gently before shaking her head, "I'll try to be more careful."
"Can you imagine if they have kids together?" Candlehead asked Taffyta as the three girls began to clean up the kitchen. Vanellope blushed and moseyed around the opposite end of the island. She fiddled with the worn, loved fabric of Ralph's shirt that still comfortably enveloped her.
"I can see the wrecking mess now," Taffyta laughed, "Wouldn't Ralph be proud."
