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R A I S I N G ◦ A N ◦ N P C !

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▶ BOOK 1: M A K I N G ◦ A N ◦ N P C !
▶ CHAPTERS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |

⊹˚₊·‧Chapter 18: Family

In the end, it took Pierrosie three whole days to wake up again.

But once she did, she seemed to be her old self; Though while being more touchy and without venturing off.

The first thing she did after waking up again was demand to be held close by both Pomni and Ragatha, which they more than gladly obliged for as long as she wanted.

After that, they informed the others that Pierrosie was awake again, taking the tiny girl with them.

This relieved the others as well; And Pierrosie signaled her wish to hug and be held by all the others, too, over the course of the day. Everyone gladly complied. Even Jax; Albeit just shortly and awkwardly, quickly putting her down again, but staying close to her. 

They collectively decided to ditch adventures altogether for a while (Caine surprisingly didn’t object much; even he seemed to have understood the strain the last failed adventure had been) and instead focused on Pierrosie and on creating their own adventures. For example, with events, or at the playground Kinger had created. Like reenacting old fairytales in the castle or the forest, playing grocery store, finding a treasure through a map and games alike.

The little AI seemed to enjoy every sort of activity greatly, curiously diving into everything anyone comes up with; Which motivated the crew to offer more.

When they were not creating activities, they were just socializing in the lounge, with Pi staying close and drawing or building blocks of unconventional shapes.

It felt nice to Pomni.

Domestic and casual, as if they all were something… family-adjacent. Even Jax joined them most of the time. He often didn’t interact with Pi when doing so, but Pomni got the feeling that he did it mostly because of her. Maybe because he was still feeling guilty, or maybe because he genuinely took delight in her presence. 

It was on one of those days when Gangle dropped the words girl’s night in a discussion.
The little pierrot pricked up her ears.

Ragatha noticed. “What is it, poppet?” she asked, as sweetly as always when addressing her child. It never failed to make Pomni’s heart skip a beat.

The clown doll put down her building blocks and pointed at Gangle.

She seemed to understand. “You wanna know what a girl’s night is?”

Pi nodded, eagerly, then pointed at herself.

Gangle smiled at her. “Because you’re a girl?”

Pierrosie nodded again.

“It’s a gathering of profound secrecy, only accessible for chosen ones, but rumored to be nothing but a mystery.” Kinger responded ominously. Pomni didn’t know if he was exaggerating for Pierrosie or… actually thought so.

“Kinger’s kinda right,” Pomni replied, “I’m personally not used to those events, but they are usually, like… ‘no boy’s allowed’ kind of meet-ups. Like pajama parties or something like that. Where, uh, I guess people talk about… uhm… I’m not sure, actually.”

“Have you never been to a pajama party, Pomni?” Ragatha asked curiously, with an amused smile on her face.

Pomni cleared her throat. “I thought they were more a movie thing than actuality.”

Ragatha chuckled joyfully. Whatever the reason, Pomni didn’t know.

“I’ve been at one, actually, and I made everyone play Turok.” Zooble commented. “Was kinda cool.”

Pierrosie looked at them, tilting her head.

“Why’s the kid staring at me?”

“I think she might be confused about you being at a girl’s night,” Pomni, who could read Pi a little by now, concluded. “Is that so, Pi?”

Pierrosie nodded one single time.

Zooble seemed as if they were smiling.

“That was before I understood I wasn’t a girl.”

Pomni felt a strange warmth in her heart.
Nobody had taught Pierrosie about gender yet; A fact that Pomni actually approved of. Raising a child outside the analogue society meant that Pi didn’t have to be burdened with unnecessary gender stereotypes and expectations and could develop free from that.

Yet, somehow, she had understood and fully accepted that Zooble wasn’t a girl — without anyone ever properly telling her.

She was more perceptive than she seemed.

“I’ve been at plenty when I was with my internet friends. We usually talked about our favorite BL mangas and ships or watched episodes from our favorite shows.” Gangle shared her experience.

“Mine were pretty stereotypical, I think,” Ragatha disclosed, a faint blush on her cheeks, “Braiding hair, making friendship bracelets, combing down horses, talking about boys…”

Pomni gave her a crooked grin, which made Ragatha even more abashed. 

“I… u-uh… actually never liked any of the boys we were talking about. I just thought that’s what we were supposed to do. Acting like we like them, I mean.”

Pomni peeked over to Jax. He seemed annoyed but otherwise unbothered.

Zooble made an amused but warm and approving sound. “Right. I kinda forget that you’re one of us now. Queer, I mean. Glad to have you part of the team.”

Jax groaned loudly.

“Uuurgh. Why don’t you wear some pink, glittery clothes while you’re at it? And make a parade? Those queers, always making it a big thing. Am I right, Kinger?”

“You’re wearing pink.” Kinger simply gave back.

Gangle audibly held back a laugh.

Jax stared at him, disheveled. “Y-yeah, but— that's not— It’s salmon, okay?? I didn’t choose———whatever, man, I don’t care.”

“How about we do a little pajama party for Pi?” Ragatha got back on topic, “With dress up and games and stuff like that? It’s been such a long time since I had one, and I really would love Pomni to experience it, too. What do you think?”

Gangle shifted excitedly on the couch. “I would like that! It feels so… normal! And relaxed! And I really would love to know about your fictional character crushes…”

“Alright, you gals do your gal thing and have fun, I’m out.” Zooble announced and got up. They gently brushed over the edge of Gangle’s mask; A surprising intimate gesture. It seemed as if they were getting more confident in showing their feelings for her freely. “It’s Anita Radcliffe, by the way. My first crush.”

“Who is that?” Gangle asked excitedly.

“The wife from 101 Dalmatians.”

Gangle squealed. She obviously found that very endearing.

“Really? Not Cruella?” Ragatha asked, curiously.

Zooble squinted at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ragatha's face flushed. “Oh, eh— I. I didn’t mean to, eh—"

Zooble chuckled. “Chill. I was just making fun of you. Have fun, guys.” They said, then turned to walk toward the tent’s exit. 

Pomni got up. “Well then. You’re up for it, Pi? Should we have our first pajama party?”

Pierrosie’s eye shone. She got up, too. It looked adorable. 

When Gangle, Ragatha and Pomni turned to go, the little clown doll didn’t move; As if she were waiting for something.

“What’s up, my sweet button?” Ragatha asked, “Have you changed your mind?”

Pierrosie seemed confused and looked over to Kinger and Jax.
Kinger waved at her. Jax just stared at her, bored.
She tumbled towards him and took his hand, slightly pulling.

He raised an eyebrow.

“What part of ‘No boys allowed' didn’t you understand?” He asked.

She stopped pulling and stared at him, intensely and confused, as if she were looking for an answer to his question, somewhere on him.

“Do you think she didn’t get the concept of girls and boys after all…?” Ragatha asked Pomni silently.

Pomni didn’t answer. Instead, she observed the situation, intrigued.
What was going through Pierrosie’s head?
She had understood Zooble’s gender situation rather well before.
Or maybe she just wanted him there, too?
She seemed rather fond of him, after all.

Jax stared at her.
Pierrosie stared back.
For a couple of heartbeats, nothing happened.
Then she pulled again.

For a split second, Pomni thought she saw something in his eyes she couldn’t quite pinpoint. Was it shock? Panic? Did he remember something? Was he suddenly uncomfortable touching Pi?

“This is dumb. I don’t want to be at any pajama party, capiche?” He stated, and this time, interestingly, Pierrosie seemed to accept it, because she let go of his hand. “C’mon Kinger, you wanted to show me how I could get books, remember?”

“I don’t!” Kinger answered, but got up anyway, leaving the lounge area together with him.

Ragatha picked up the remaining little doll, which gazed after the two. “Let’s go, Pierrosie. I’m sure you can have a pajama party or something similar with Jax another time.”

Pi looked at her and nodded, happily.

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