Chapter Text
One thing that Jax always hated was carrots.
Ironic to say the least, since his chosen body for this digital plane was indeed a lagomorph.
A critter known for its affinity with root vegetables.
But he hated them. Raw, cooked, it didn’t matter. The smell alone made him want to gag.
So when Bubble had plopped a gaggle of the wretched slices beside the rest of his “dinner”, he was less than enthused.
Yellow eyes glance around to his fellow cast mates, (more like cellmates if you asked him) and surveyed the scene. Weighing his options…
Ragatha and Kinger were caught up in their own conversation and Gangle poked at her food but slowly ate it.
Zooble had already left the table, seemingly not having an appetite.
How the [REDACTED!] did they manage to keep sane at that pace? Barely ever participating in anything?
Oh well. Not his problem.
Just as he was about to look somewhere else, a timid tap on his upper arm made his gaze snap down to the person sitting beside him.
The newest member of this special hell.
Pomni.
“Are you gonna eat those?” She asks quietly, almost too nervous to speak up.
Jax glances to her plate, noting how the vile slices of yuck were already gone.
What kind of weirdo is this girl?
His eyebrows knit together in thought only for a moment until his signature grin and half-lidded stare falls onto his face.
“Sure, Chuckles. Have at it. But just so you know, you’ll owe me a snack in return.” He informs her.
The small jester tenses up a bit with her fork, and the rabbit smirks even wider at the sight.
So easy to mess with, it was nearly not worth it.
Nearly.
This declaration made Ragatha look over to the two of them, her own face twisting in a frown.
“Jax, play nice. It’s not like you eat them anyways.” She points out.
“Oh don’t get your yarn in a twist, doll face. Pom’s been here long enough now, she knows the deal. Right?”
His body leans over into the tiny jester’s personal space, making her lean back in turn.
“I-I guess so. What would you want in return?” Pomni asks as politely as she can.
Even though Jax didn’t deserve it.
Especially after his antics in the Candy Kingdom. She can still feel the twinge of discomfort from how her limbs stretched.
“Oh don’t worry about it. I’ll know it when I see it.” Jax assures her in his own ominous way, gloved hands shoving his plate next to hers.
“In the meantime, enjoy your carrots.”
Pomni did not like this response, having known the pooka(**) long enough to not take anything he says at face value.
Not even something as innocent as eating his portion of carrots.
Regardless, nothing else was said on the matter. Only serving to twist the knots of discomfort in Pomni’s brain over being at the mercy of supplying her end of the deal at some point.
It’s not like she even NEEDED the carrots, or any of the food. Why did she even speak up to begin with?
And with Jax of all people?!
Her pinwheel stare falls on the purple rabbitoid again, watching him converse with Gangle over a matter she isn’t invested in.
Calm and collected as always, with that stupid grin on his face. Come to think of it, has she ever seen him part his teeth?
What would they even look like?
Why does she want to know?
“….revels in that. Pomni? Are you alright?”
The jester shakes her head rapidly and turns her sight towards the concerned face of her ragdoll cast mate.
She slow blinks, trying to recall what was just said to her.
“Y-yeah, of course. Just….thinking.” She remarks on an air that could leave a whiff of suspicion.
Ragatha frowns a little deeper, but the subject is shifted with Kinger’s next outburst.
“AH! Raging weevils!”
“Kinger, there’s no weevils here. Or any bugs for that matter.” Pomni pipes up, making Gangle snort in amusement.
“BUGS? INSECTS? WHERE?!”
“Oh great, now we’ve done it.” Ragatha remarks, hiding her own laugh before the three of them proceed to try and talk Kinger out of his delusions for the millionth time.
Eventually, the efforts prove fruitful as all of the characters prepare to retire for the night.
Gangle and Kinger lead the group on their walk over to the bedrooms, completely engrossed in a conversation about the art of origami.
They are also the first to break off and make a beeline for their rooms, seeming to have exhausted their social batteries for the day.
Pomni’s digital heart raced as she realized that left only two other cast members.
One of which makes himself known nearly immediately after this thought.
“Well ladies, it’s been a pleasure today. And by pleasure, I mean not at all. Night.” Jax regards the two with a stretch of his long limbs, starting to saunter over to his room.
Ragatha rolls her eyes at his quip, looking down to Pomni as she looks after the purple lagomorph with a tightened expression.
“Don’t mind him, he’s just trying to get one last jab in. I hope he doesn’t get to you too badly.” She says, resting a hand on Pomni’s shoulder.
The jester startles at this a little, instinctively moving away at the soft feeling of her hand.
How she hated her touch aversion in these moments, especially with the way it makes her friend’s face fall in sympathy.
“N-No, not at all. At least…not as much as I’m sure HE hopes it does.” She replies quietly.
“Oh really? That’s good then.” Ragatha chimes, awkwardly taking her hand back and rocking in her spot a little.
“W-Well…good night. Sweet dreams, Pomni.”
She offers one final sweet smile to the harlequin girl before turning and walking to her room as well.
Pomni reaches for her own door handle, inching inside and beginning to shut the door.
“Psst.”
Her eyes snap up, immediately spotting the glowing yellow eyes that peer at her from across the hall. Right in the shadow of Jax’s cracked door.
Once again, her simulated heart jolts.
What the [NOPE!] is this guy’s problem?!
“Don’t forget: you owe me now, Chuckles.” He hisses to her, tilting his head a little to singsong the final remark. “Sweet dre-eamssss…”
The door clicks shut, and Pomni shoves her arm forward to lock her door into place as well.
Her breathing escalates a little, eyes lifting to the full-length mirror in the corner.
The reflection is feeble, shaking like a leaf. She tears her eyes away, hugging herself around the middle to collect her thoughts.
What HAD she gotten herself into?