Chapter 3: Comfort in a Bubble
Caine sadly shook his head at the two people who dropped out of his game. He couldn't imagine why anyone didn't want to play his game. He was programmed to be the guide to everyone's enjoyment in the digital circus but…he guessed he was only feeling hurt since the amazing digital circus game was originally supposed to bring people here that would appreciate his games. Cain and his games were the main reason people would've wanted to play this game in the first place.
But now, since there wasn't much in the digital circus left for the players-or now, prisoners-to enjoy because they were here forever, their interest in this place and his games were very low.
And even though Caine was aware of Zoobles personality and why she might not want to participate, Jax on the other hand had played Caine's games time and time before, why would he walk away now? Did those old feelings when Queenie abstracted come back up again? Caine was hurt at Jax's words then, and was hurt at his actions now. Did anyone else think the same about him?
Caine sighed. He didn't like thinking such depressing thoughts. It was out of character for him, even though he didn't always feel like he belonged here sometimes…
"Uh, Caine? You ok?" Ragatha's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Oh, right. I haven't made the gloinks appear yet." Cain thought, then hurriedly tried to make it seem like he was himself. "Oh, uh-yes I am! And here are the gloinks!" The gloinks suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started bouncing around and stealing stuff.
While the others were distracted in catching them, Caine disappeared from sight with Bubble, intending to arrive at the restaurant where mannequin-looking NPCs were chatting and looking happy.
Unlike him.
He pretended to be in his usual mood though, he didn't want anyone, not even Bubble to know he was feeling down. "I hope they find the gloink queen soon. She reappeared a while ag-" "Hey boss? Why do you feel sad?"
Cain froze. "Wh-a-wha-t?! I-I uh, I…I'm not sad! Why in the world would you say that?! Heh?"
Bubble just stared at Caine, waiting for the real answer.
"Well, I, uh." He sighed. "It's nothing." "You know I've almost never seen you upset before! What could make you like this?" Bubble said, looking as concerned as she could with that stuck smile on her face.
"It's just that…well, what if no one likes me?" "I do." Caine seemed like he didn't hear.
"What if nobody cares about me and my games? What if…what if they all hate me?" Silence.
"But…they don't."
"But what if they do?!" Cain covered his mouth/face with his hands. He couldn't imagine why anyone would hate him, but it pricked him to think that they did.
"Boss, listen to me, they don't! I don't know why you would think such a thing but I know they don't hate you!" "Wh-what makes you so sure? What about Jax and Zooble?" "Just because they don't like a game doesn't mean they don't like you. And even if they did, what was to stop them from telling you that? But they didn't say anything. They don't act terribly to you. Caine. Listen. No one hates you. I promise."
"O-ok." Cain had actually been crying? He sniffed and wiped a tear from one of his eyes. "I trust you, Bubble. Thanks."
Bubble smiled as she comforted her friend. She hoped he felt better soon. She would make sure he wouldn't hurt, ever.