The day had shifted to a beautiful, digital gold and purple palette. Twinkle was sitting on a Grey box. It wasn't detailed, but she guessed it had to be an electric box of sorts. It felt nostalgic to sit on it. A small line of light Grey smoke filled the air as Twinkle lit a cigarette. Inhaling it, the burning in her throat was all to real. She coughed, but went in for another puff. Her tail slowly wagged behind her.
"Hey, is that a cigarette?" Twinkle turned around to see Zooble.
"Oh, yea. Here" Twinkle pulled out a red box from her apron, opening it was a few cigarettes. They looked like cheap replicas. But once Zooble put the lit cigarette to their lips, the coughing was more than real.
"Holy sh(beep)" Zooble coughed out. "It's like I'm smoking for the first time again."
Twinkle laughed, nodding as she took her own puff. "Yup-" she cleared her throat. "Feels pretty good huh?"
Zooble. Chuckled, going in for another puff. Twinkle moved over, making room for the toy to sit next to her.
"How'd you get these anyway? They don't seem very kid friendly by Caine's standards." Zooble looked over.
"A lady never exposes her secrets." Twinkle smirked, earning a soft laugh.
"Yea well, thanks. I really needed this."
"How's it going in there? Did Jax come back yet?" Twinkle looked toward the door back inside.
"Huh? Oh yea. He looks like sh(beep). And I think Ragatha's drunk."
"She has been for like- the whole shift."
"I'm jealous." Twinkle could hear the smile in Zooble's voice.
"Ya know, I bet I could hide a few bottles of that sauce in my tail. I'm pretty sure that's what made her like that." Twinkle took a puff as Zooble turned their head toward them, excited.
"Seriously? You're not fu(beep)ing with me? Hell yea, please." The two giggled as they continued some small talk. Twinkle had to cut it short though, it was past her break time.
Waving to the take apart toy, the fox put out the cigarette and went inside. She passed by Pomni who walked out, taking her own break. Walking around the corner, she saw Jax. His hands deep in soapy dish water.
"Oh you're back! Finally I can go on my break!" Jax pulled away from the sink, just as Gangle turned the corner.
"Now now Jax, you get your break after Pomni. Twinkle, you're on bathrooms." Jax stared as Gangle broke the news.
"Yes Ma'am." Gangle smiled as Twinkle nodded, walking off to do her job.
"What? Pomni?! All she does it stand there! 'Hi can I take your order?'" Jax mocked the Jester. As he was mocking, Zooble walked in.
"Well, you can go after her Jax. That's that." Gangle walked off. Jax bit his tongue so he wouldn't say anything else. His fists clenched and his ears dropped behind him.
"Oi Zooble. Handle the dishes for me. I'm going to the bathroom." As the rabbit walked off, Zooble stared confused. No one had any use for a bathroom in the circus. But, he was so calm; Zooble just went on and started doing the dishes.
Jax wondered into the men's restroom. Twinkle was right outside, and she was worried.
"Jax?" Twinkle knocked on the door. "Jax, you good?" She put her ear to the door. Hearing all the sounds Inside. Jax was breathing quick, shallow breaths.
"Yea! I'm just fine." Jax called out, but Twinkle could hear him shaking. Twinkle knew he wouldn't let her help, not even to just sit with him. So, she opened the door.
"The hell?! Twinkle what's wrong with you?" Jax stared at the fox, his palms still shaking no matter how he tried to stop. His ears were lowered, and his pupils small.
"Just, chill." Jax looked confused, when suddenly Twinkle hit him. Using the mop, she hit Jax right in the gut. He curled over, dropping to his knees.
"Agh! You- mmmmmghh..." Jax was on the floor, covering his stomach. Twinkle got down too. Sitting down, she pulled Jax into her lap like an annoyed cat. He was in to much shock. Twinkle sat against the closed door of the restroom. Jax still curled up on her lap, shaking.
"Sorry I had to hit you. Thought I saw a bug. I hate bugs." Twinkle smirked softly as she started petting Jax. Stroking his smooth ears. Jax started to smile too. Twinkle had given him an out.
"Yea well..you hit me so hard, I don't think I can get up." Jax had relaxed, his hand gently setting on Twinkles thigh. He looked surprised. Her fur was real, unlike his smooth rabbit skin. He gently intertwined her fur in his hands. A few minutes passed when Pomni's voice reached the bathroom as she spoke to Zooble.
"Oh! Pomni's back!?" Jax immediately jumped up, running out of the back door. Twinkle stared, then giggled. Standing up, she sighed.
"That'll do." With that, she got back to mopping. The restaurant had closed, and it was timed for cleaning. An hour had gone by. Zooble, Jax, and Ragatha had all left. Twinkle had set the last dish on the towel, when she turned the corner.
"I can close for you, if ya want." Pomni reassured Gangle, who looked pretty tired.
"Would, that be ok?" Twinkle stepped up, taking Pomni's side.
"I'd say so. You worked really hard. Go home. Pomni and I will close." Pomni looked up surprised, but happy. Both watched Gangle. Sheepishly the manger clocked out, and left.
"What a crazy day huh?" Twinkle looked down at Pomni.
"Yea." Agreed the Jester.
"But, I kinda liked it. It felt so real." The girls giggled and casually talked during the rest of their shift. Twinkle didn't mention what happened with Jax, and no one seemed to notice it. The two locked the doors as they left.
"Whoa, look at that." Twinkle pointed up at the stars.
"They're so realistic." Pomni admired the digital sky. This adventure was rather detailed. It almost felt comforting.
The end of the adventure was being teleported into Caine's office for an evaluation. Twinkle was the last to enter. Her dress was returned to her, making her ears wiggle in freedom.
"Well lets see here." Caine floated above the desk with a clipboard.
"You followed directions perfectly and on time, no customer complaints about you, and you even volunteered to stay afterward! But there is one detail that's gonna knock down your grade." Caine set down the clipboard. Twinkle could hear his smile slightly lessen.
"What exactly were you doing with Gummy Goo? The gummy NPC? I could have sworn you gave him something." Caine stared down at the fox. But she didnt seem to be worried, not even breaking a sweat.
"I'm sorry, I cant really remember." She scratched her neck. "It's been a long day." She smiled up at the ringleader, he tapped his lower teeth.
"Well, alright. How does a B+ sound?" He pinned a picture of Twinkle on the board next to everyone else. Everyone had seemed to be given a B+, accept for Kinger who had an A+, and Pomni who had a simple A. Caine waved Twinkle off as she left. The door lead right to the main stage area, and disappeared once it closed. Her smirk wasn't simple anymore...planning..carefully crafted.