*Chapter 72*
Three days had passed and Litwak's Arcade had finally closed for the week. Taffyta and Vanellope were cooped up in Vanellope's bathroom for the majority of the day preparing for the New Year's ball. Both girls were in Vanellope's bathroom dressed in comfortable clothes, though their hair and makeup was all done up. Vanellope's hair was long and down in deep, delicate waves down her back. Taffyta's hair was up in a pretty, choppy look. They both had a very subtle amount of makeup on; they both glowed. Taffyta eagerly fixed her hair, she had a certain twinkle in her eye. Vanellope eyed her across the bathroom and cocked her eyebrow as she crossed her arms. She eagerly watched Taffyta fluff herself up and try to perfect every single detail about her hair.
"You're paying a lot of extra detail to your do, Taff," Vanellope said in a sly way as she smiled, "Going to impress a certain someone?"
"Lay off," Taffyta barked as she tried to hide a smile.
"Has Rancis asked you to the ball tonight?" Vanellope prod.
"My User, Vanellope, does it matter?" Taffyta complained as she brushed her hair out of her face a little.
"Yes," Vanellope beamed.
"Are you going with Ralph? Is he feeling better?" Taffyta asked, hoping to get off the subject of Rancis. Vanellope frowned and looked to the side.
"I don't know," Vanellope said softly, "I haven't seen him since yesterday and he didn't look so hot… How do you get rid of a virus like what he has? How did he even catch it? Surely we can probably mess with his code and make him feel better."
"Unfortunately, I don't think there's anything we can do about it," Taffyta said softly with a frown as she heaved a soft sigh.
"I hope he has the energy to come to the ball tonight," Vanellope said, her voice progressively becoming suspiciously shaky. Taffyta gently turned around to face her sister, "I-I, just really hope he will be alright."
"If not, there's always next year," Taffyta said with a frown as she stepped closer to her sister.
Taffyta very delicately began to fix some of the long strands of Vanellope's silky, dark hair by her shoulders. Vanellope inhaled a small breath and looked down, her eyes became glassy. Taffyta furrowed her eyebrows before she very gently took her sister's hands. She gazed at Vanellope with a broken smile.
"Aw, c'mon Vin," Taffyta said knowingly above a whisper, "It'll be alright. We have to meet Felix and Calhoun at Ralph's game anyways. Why don't we go see if he's getting ready? Who knows, he could possibly be waiting for us when we get there."
"I just hope he's feeling better. I wouldn't want him to game over outside his game, just because he came to the ball sick. But the other part of me would be really sad if he missed it," Vanellope worried as a tear slid down her cheek to her upper lip. Taffyta gently wiped it away and inhaled a slow, patient breath with a small smile.
"I'm sure he knows his limits," Taffyta breathed gently as she grabbed Vanellope's hands with gentle enthusiasm, "C'mon, let's get our gowns on. Tonight is going to be so much fun."
"Yeah," Vanellope breathed with a small smile as she nodded. Taffyta beamed and gently skipped towards the other end of Vanellope's bathroom.
Taffyta's light pink, swirling gown was hung on a high hook on the bathroom. It was strapless, flawless and tiered at the bottom. Taffyta gently took her dress off the hanger and slipped behind the large changing screen against the corner of Vanellope's large bathroom. She carefully began to dress herself in her gown. Vanellope heaved a long sigh and stared at the beautifully crafted screen across her bathroom. Her eyes landed on her dress, which was hanging next to where Taffyta's was previously hung. Her beautiful dark brown dress practically stared her in the face, taunting her of what a good night she could potentially have. Vanellope heaved a raspy, annoyed sigh and trudged over to her dress on the wall.
"Stop sighing, Vin. Ralph or not, the ball will still be a lot of fun," Taffyta said as she cautiously emerged from the changing screen. Her dress was gorgeous, "There is always next New Year's."
"Your dress is so beautiful," Vanellope smiled a genuine smile for the first time in about an hour, "I'm sure some lucky guy will just fawn all over you."
"Yeah, that is if he gathers up the nerve to ask me to the ball that will be taking place in the next hour," Taffyta mumbled as she looked down at her figure hugging dress. She gently straightened out the folds and made it look tidy. Vanellope eyed her curiously.
"You're waiting for Rancis to ask you, huh," Vanellope smiled, she wanted so badly to tease. She gently took her dress off of the wall and slipped behind the changing screen. Taffyta rolled her eyes and made her way across Vanellope's bathroom to her body mirror.
"I don't know," Taffyta sighed as she checked her dress in the mirror, "I don't know where we stand. Everything has been so awkward lately. I'm kind of hoping to just show up and just hang out with him. I just hope he didn't ask another girl."
"I'm sure he didn't," Vanellope said confidently with a small chuckle, "Don't think I didn't hear the way he was talking to you the other night."
"I forgot you and Ralph were eavesdropping," Taffyta said in an annoyed tone before she slumped her shoulders and sighed. She turned around to glare at the changing screen her sister was behind, "Well, at least I don't have to awkwardly repeat everything to you. We ripped it off fast, like a bandaid. Thank User."
"Lucky you," Vanellope sneered with a small giggle as she stepped out from behind the changing screen.
She was dressed in her beautiful, dark chocolate gown. It was simple, the neck was a wide boat neck that covered most of her collars and shoulders. The sleeves puffed just barely half way down her arm. Her dress was backless; it gaped and revealed all of her smooth back and the backs of her shoulders. Her long, black hair waved down her bare back delicately. Her dress was flowy towards the bottom, but hugged her curvy figure everywhere else. Taffyta beamed a happy smile and crossed her arms gently.
"You mean lucky Ralph," Taffyta said with a happy smile as she shook her head, "I hope Ralph doesn't miss tonight, because he will be forever kicking himself."
"Well, you said it," Vanellope said sheepishly with a smile that easily agreed with Taffyta's words. She giggled and flattened out her dress over her hips before inhaling a deep breath, "Should we maybe head over and see if he's going to go or not?"
"Sure," Taffyta smiled as she fiddled with her hair, "I'm ready when you are."
"Vanellope!" Felix called across the crowded Game Central Station. He looked absolutely dashing. He was wearing a stunning tuxedo, and Calhoun's edgy, yet sophisticated, black dress easily matched him. Vanellope beamed as the four friends approached each other.
"Hi guys!" Vanellope said above the chatter of the crowd and music.
"My, my," Felix smiled as he glanced between the three gorgeous girls around him. He gently held onto Calhoun's hand lovingly, "You three look absolutely stunning, if I do say so myself."
"Thanks, Felix," Taffyta smiled as she straightened out a wrinkle on her dress. Vanellope nodded gratefully with a smile.
"Have you guys seen Ralph or Rancis anywhere?" Vanellope asked, trying not to sound too curious.
"No, neither of them," Calhoun said with a frown as she looked around the crowd a little.
"I think Ralph is still at home," Felix said, his voice sounded down trot. Vanellope's facial expression fell to deep concern.
"Is he alright?" Vanellope worried.
"I'm not so sure," Felix said sadly, "You guys should go check on him."
"Good plan," Taffyta urged as she grabbed Vanellope's arm. The two girls quickly began to step towards Ralph's game. Taffyta looked over her shoulder to Felix eagerly, "We'll find you guys in a little bit!"
"Sounds good!" Felix called as him and Calhoun waved.
"I-I hope he's alright," Vanellope said nervously as they quickly entered Ralph's game.
"I guess we'll find out," Taffyta said after a few long moments of both girls trying their hardest to walk down the street to Ralph's house; they tried their best to keep their dresses from getting dirty.
Vanellope and Taffyta finally approached Ralph's large door and let themselves in. Ralph's house was still and silent; a blanket was strewn messily across his couch as well as a few pillows. A half empty bottle of cold medicine was sitting on his coffee table alongside an old, half empty cup of tea from what looked to be from two days ago. His place was a slight mess. Vanellope frowned and gazed towards Ralph's room as she let Taffyta in and shut the door behind her.
"Is he even here?" Taffyta prod as she looked around Ralph's home for the first time.
"I'm not sure," Vanellope breathed as she took her heels off and stepped across the entry way, "I'll go check his room. I'll be right back."
"Okay," Taffyta breathed as she too took her heels off. After a few long moments of waiting by herself, she sneakily approached Ralph's room and peeked inside.
She peered into Ralph's dark room and could see Vanellope sitting on the edge of his bed. Her small hand tenderly stroked Ralph's forehead and hair in a loving way. She could hear the two speaking to each other in a hushed tone, Vanellope's voice gradually became more and more worried and shaky. Ralph looked absolutely miserable. Taffyta smiled a sly smile before very slowly sneaking away from the door.
"Ralph, I hope you're going to be okay," Vanellope said sadly as her eyes glued to her love. She eagerly and lovingly pet his forehead, which was burning up, "Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"I don't think so," Ralph croaked as he lulled his eyes closed. He inhaled a hard sniffle before coughing just barely, "I-I just need to keep sleeping. I'm glad I have the week off, because I'm really going to need it."
"I'm staying with you," Vanellope said softly. Ralph opened his eyes curiously.
"When? During the week?" Ralph asked raspily, "You're always welcome here, you know that."
"No, I mean tonight," Vanellope frowned as a few tears slid down her cheeks, "I'm not going to that ball with you here, miserable and by yourself. There's no way I'm going to leave you like this."
"Vanellope," Ralph protested weakly.
"No, Ralph," Vanellope urged, "I'm not leaving your side. I'm not leaving you here while we all are at the party having a good time."
"You have to go to the party," Ralph winced as he tried to get comfortable.
"I-I'm not going to the party, Ralph," Vanellope begged as a tear slid down her face.
"Vanellope, please go to the party," Ralph said in a louder tone.
"Ralph, I'm n-"
"Vanellope," Ralph barked as he very delicately shoved his large hand to her cheek to grab her attention. She inhaled a whimper and quickly slid her hand onto the back of his to hold it there. A few tears slid down her cheek as Ralph inhaled shakily to continue, "I want you to go to the ball. You look way too gorgeous not to go. If you don't go it will devastate me."
"Ralph," Vanellope breathed in a whisper after a few long moments. She shut her eyes tight and nuzzled her cheek into his warm hand.
"I want you to go," Ralph said with a small smile, "Please go. For me."
"Are you certain?" Vanellope urged above a whisper, "I-I can come back and check on you every now and then."
"All I ask is that you are in my bed tonight," Ralph said with a small, playful smirk. Vanellope rolled her eyes and scrunched her shoulders with a small giggle.
"You don't want to get me sick via code swap, do you?" Vanellope laughed softly as she squeezed the back of Ralph's hand gently.
"No," Ralph breathed a raspy sigh as he gazed up at Vanellope, "You look SO beautiful tonight."
"Really?" Vanellope whispered with a wide smile as she kept her cheek nuzzled into his warm hand.
"Yes," Ralph said earnestly, "You will be the most stunning woman at the ball tonight. I guarantee it."
"You're just saying that," Vanellope breathed a chuckle with a bashful smile as she looked down. She very tenderly rubbed Ralph's chest.
"I'm not," Ralph smiled, "I will make this up to you. I promise."
"It's okay, Ralph," Vanellope said with sincerity as she lovingly rubbed her gentle hand over his heart.
"Save a dance for me," Ralph croaked as he sniffled a few times, Vanellope beamed a small smile as tears formed in her eyes. She looked down and smiled a broken smile as the tears slapped Ralph's arm a few times. Ralph furrowed his eyebrows and gently swiped his large thumb over her cheek a few times. He inhaled deeply and caught eyes with her, "Don't cry. You're too beautiful to be crying. I promise I will make this up to you."
"I'm not worried about you making anything up to me," Vanellope croaked shakily, "I-I'm worried about your health. I really hope you will be okay."
"I'll be fine," Ralph breathed with a smile, "I just need to sleep is all… I'm sure I'll be back to normal in a few days."
"I'll come here straight away, once the party is done," Vanellope said confidently as she continued to rub Ralph's chest, "I promise. I'll take care of you."
"I don't doubt you for a second," Ralph smiled as he stroked away a few more tears that ran down her cheek, "Go. Have fun."
"Thanks Ralph," Vanellope breathed before she leaned down and planted a few longing kisses on his forehead a few times. Ralph smiled as best as he could and gently held his hand to Vanellope's upper back. She lovingly kissed his lips a few times before nuzzling his nose, "I love you. I'll see you soon."
"Yes you will," Ralph chuckled with a smile as he rubbed her back, "I love you too."
Vanellope lingered for a few moments before she very carefully stood and made her way towards Ralph's door. She gazed back at him with a longing frown. She wondered if she should ignore Ralph's request and stay put, but she figured if he wanted her to stay, he would've made it known. Vanellope furrowed her eyebrows before she quickly left Ralph's room. She stepped out into his living room where Taffyta was patiently waiting. She turned around and looked at Vanellope expectantly.
"Is he alright?" Taffyta asked softly, Vanellope heaved a long sigh and rubbed her jaw free of tears.
"He's okay," She breathed, "He's not coming."
"He's not?" Taffyta frowned as she gently held onto Vanellope's arm in a loving way.
"No," Vanellope sighed before she forced a broken smile, "I wanted to stay here with him, but he's urged me to go to the party. I'll come back afterwards to take care of him."
"Sounds like a plan," Taffyta said softly as she gazed back towards Ralph's room, "I'm sure he'll be okay. We'll only be gone for a few hours."
"Right," Vanellope sighed as the two put their shoes back on and head for Ralph's front door.
"I'm sure he'll make it up to you, later, anyways," Taffyta said as Vanellope stepped out of Ralph's house first. Taffyta gazed back at Ralph's room with a wide, knowing smile before shutting his large front door behind her.
