User blog:Cartoonprincess/Somnium: Chapter 5 The Banquet

'This chapter is dedicated to DoubleCross♥. Thank you for always being so amazingly supportive of me and my writing. :)'

'''NOTE: In this chapter, we explore and reveal more of the cottage, as well as dive deeper into the development of the characters. Good stuff. ;)'''



Chapter 5: The Banquet

Despite all the rush and excitement of the events that preceded, Isabel had no trouble settling down and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep for the remainder of the night. When she finally opened her eyes, she slowly rose and blinked a couple times as she stretched.

“Did everyone sleep well…?” she asked. There was no response. She looked around and realized she was by herself. As she took her time getting out of bed, she suddenly heard a voice.

“Dude, this blue, stuffed lion keeps staring at me with its beady eyes…it’s creeping me out!” a user named Marcthetechguy noted fearfully.

“Gimme that!” Isabel said quickly as she grabbed the stuffed animal and walked away.

Wondering where everyone was and what she wanted to do next, she decided to wander through the hallways that she had never bothered to check since she had started living at the cottage. If she was lucky, maybe she would be able to sneak past Sydney.

After walking around aimlessly for about ten minutes, Isabel began to get discouraged, as none of the users were to be found.

“You’re looking for your friends, aren’t you?”

Isabel said nothing as she turned around to see precisely the person she was trying to avoid. Looking concerned, she retreated.

Sydney smiled, “Don’t worry, I’m in a better mood, today,” She then moved a dresser, revealing an elevator. “This is the hidden passage way to the hotel,” she explained. “I already showed your friends the way, so they’re all there,” she pressed the button. Isabel remained silent as she walked into the elevator with Sydney.

“Just wait ‘til you see this!” Sydney beamed as she crossed her arms. The doors slid open.

Suddenly, right before Isabel’s eyes was a gigantic center, bursting with activity. Both her Wiki Buddies and Cartoon Pals alike were seen all over, taking part in the various incentives that the hotel had to offer. Floor after floor, Sydney pointed out the many different rooms and activities.

The powerful, enticing smell of chlorine filled Isabel’s senses as she was lead to the first hot spot of Sydney’s tour. Before her was a gigantic, magnificent pool with a large waterslide, lazy river and hot tub. Next, she was shown to a game room with a bevy of amenities, such as pool table, a ping pong table, a vending machine, foosball and a striking flat-screen TV. Still further ahead was an amazing spa with relaxing, new-age music playing in the background. Isabel, herself, was tempted to throw herself on one of the comfy beds and get a massage right then and there. They then passed by a fancy restaurant with the irresistible fragrance of wood-grilled food wafting through the door. Lastly, Sydney presented the most impressive and remarkable room: the ballroom. Inside was a vast palace of epic proportions with a glorious floorboard that shined brilliantly in the light.

Isabel was in awe and completely struck by all that she had just witnessed. Everything was suited so perfectly and uniquely to the way she had imagined it, and to see every last one of her Cartoon Pals and Wiki Buddies being present and a part of it all nearly moved her to tears.

“So, what do you think…?” Sydney asked zealously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“…It’s so beautiful!” Isabel choked out emotionally. She then collapsed and swooned passionately into Sydney’s arms.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney chuckled nervously as she looked around in embarrassment, “Yes, yes it is, sweetie…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Well, I guess I’ll catch you, later…” Isabel said as she calmed down.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Wait…where do you think you’re going…?” Sydney asked defensively.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel was slightly caught off guard by her question, “Oh, I don’t know…maybe catch up with Choo, xx, Slappy….my best friend, Tuba…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Why would you do that?” Sydney asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel blanked for a moment and was at a loss of words, “You’re really not grasping the whole ‘these guys are my whole life and I love each and every one of them dearly with every fiber of my being’ thing, are you…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“…It’s an iffy concept to me…” Sydney admitted as she wrinkled her face in discomfort.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">As they both stared at each other in slight uneasiness, things were similarly disconcerted in the game room as BrittanaKlaine, Candycoateddoom and Alica123 were playing pool.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Want to play another round?” Brittana asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Alica was deep in thought and very distracted.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Alica..?” Brittana urged.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“So, wait…we’re all just going to roll with this..?” Alica asked sternly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Roll with what..?” Brittana asked in misperception.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Us living here…we’re all just okay with that…? None of you guys find this odd or suspicious…?” Alica asked warily.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Candy chimed in, “Well, yeah, I guess it’s a little weird, but we’ve got a sweet deal, here; I mean, just look at this place! Plus, we all get to be together, which is amazing…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Yeah, but it’s all a little too perfect; I feel like we’re not being told everything we need to know…” Alica disclosed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Candy stood and paused in silence for a moment, “...Well, we trust Toon, don’t we…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Alica sighed in aggravation, “Yeah, I guess, but if it were anyone but Cartoon, I think people would be more concerned…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Candy chuckled, “Just try not to worry about it too much and just enjoy yourself here, while you can!” She then spiked a ball at her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Alica smiled dimly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Um...hey,” a soft voice said gawkily from behind.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Alica turned around. It was Becky.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Hi…” Alica awkwardly acknowledged her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">In that instant, all the noise, bustle and commotion that was going on around them seemed to just cease and melt into silence as they stared intently at each other. After a while, Becky twiddled her thumbs and sadly walked away.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Alica sighed deeply, feeling overwhelmed with everything that was going on.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Meanwhile, Tash was quietly drifting through the many hallways in the hotel, feeling a bit chary and guarded.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Hey, there!” Lucy snuck up on him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Tash smiled, “Oh, hey, Lucy…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Come on, let’s go do something!” Lucy said eagerly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Sure, what do you want to go do?” Tash asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Lucy looked down for a second and then slowly looked back up; “Well…we could go to the pool…” she smiled discreetly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Tash narrowed his eyes as he smirked, “But we don’t even have bathing suits…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“On it,” Sydney popped up out of nowhere and snapped her fingers, making bathing suits appear on them.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Well…that was convenient…” Tash said as he raised his eyebrow.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Lucy laughed cheerily, “I know, right!? Come on, let’s go!” she took him by the hand as they made their way to the pool.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">When they finally got there, Lucy took a deep breath and grinned luminously. “It’s so nice, here!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Yeah…I suppose it is…” Tash said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Lucy then did a cannonball that splashed all over him. Tash edged his toes near the pool, feeling cautious.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Get in!” Lucy took him by the arm and pulled him in.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Whoa!” Tash disappeared under the water for a few split seconds.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Ha-ha, Tash…?” Lucy rifled frantically for him.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">A sense of utter relief flowed over her when his head finally popped up. “TASH!” she ran to hug him. “Don’t die on me!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">He choked a little, “God damnit, don’t ever do that, again!” he snickered pseudo-angrily.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Oh, come on, don’t be a baby! At least you’re refreshed, now!” Lucy said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Tash sneered and rolled his eyes, “Whatever…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Lucy playfully splashed him, which prompted him to splash her back. This went on for about an hour.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Later that day, Sydney gathered all of the users and informed them on how things would work living in the fantasy world.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“You guys have everything you need to survive, here.” she said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“What about our electronics that we unknowingly had to leave behind when we got here?” a user named ILoveSeddie1234321 asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Yeah, what about our cellphones..?” xx inquired.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney snickered, “Phones…you can’t call or text here, you don’t exist!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“What about our iPods..?” Tash asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney gave him a menacing look, “Psh, you’ll survive…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Tash then pouted like an unhappy toddler, “B-But I need my music…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney groaned and rolled her eyes, “Ugh, fine…” She snapped her fingers and his iPod appeared.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Upon witnessing that, a user named DragonManiac17 was stunned with shock, “Wait! If you can do that can you poof me a fatcake!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney gave him a weird look, “Um, sure…” She did her thing.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">He squealed with delight when the fatcake appeared in his hand. Moans of pleasure came from his mouth as he began to savor it.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“What about books?” Alica asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Yeah, what about my Hunger Games!?” Candy hollered.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“And Harry Potter..?” Lucy asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney chuckled, “The magic in those book isn’t real…the only real magic is between my fingers…” She rubbed her fingers.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“We need books…” Candy said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney groaned again, “Okay, fine…” The books appeared.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">At that point, Isabel came walking through, “Oh, my gosh! Hey, everybody! I’ve been looking for you guys, all day! It’s almost like someone was sending me on a wild goose chase, keeping me from you…” she glared at Sydney.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney looked around nervously, “Oh, I would never do that…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Hey, wait a minute…” Isabel said, “Where’s the computer…? This can’t be my fantasy world without a computer!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Right over there,” Sydney pointed to a seemingly obvious computer at the end of the hallway.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">In the spur of the moment, everyone freaked out and started yelling as they ran over excitedly to the lone computer. As it was slowly powering up, they all suddenly realized how stupid it was to get so ecstatic over this, because they were already together, and didn’t need the wiki to communicate, anymore. They all shared a laugh.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Isabel then smiled deviously, “…You know what we should all do…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What..?” Slappy asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">She jumped on the gargantuan couch sitting in the middle of the game room and grinned slyly, “Watch iCarly…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">This suggestion was taken with enthusiasm. “Aw, yeah!” Churchpants said as she high-fived Seddia.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Sydney, could you poof us up like, the complete DVD boxed set, please…?” Isabel asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“…Yeah, I really don’t want to…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Isabel tried to keep her cool, “Listen, I don’t want to fight, again…you’re just going to have to deal with the way things turned out. These guys are my friends…my best friends…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Okay, fine; you can watch your stupid web show within a show!” Sydney retorted. She snapped her fingers.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Come on Lucy, let’s go!” Tash said readily.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Um…actually, I don’t really want to…why don’t we just stay out here, for a while; just the two of us…” Lucy offered anxiously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Come on, we haven’t seen or heard from Toon, all day; besides, it sounds like a lot of fun…” Tash pointed out.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, okay, I guess…” Lucy reluctantly gave in.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Okay! So, is everyone here!?” Isabel asked heartily.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I think SFG is still in the bounce house…” a user named Jon23812 noted.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“…There’s a bounce house!?” Isabel asked breathlessly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jon nodded.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I f*cking love this place!!” Isabel said joyously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">For the next few hours, everyone devotedly watched the many wonderful episodes of iCarly. Midway through Season 2, they took a short break.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">For whatever reason, Isabel was drawn to the ping pong table. She casually bounced the small, white, plastic ball and bounced it off the edge of the table with a paddle.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You play?” Slappy suddenly asked her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Huh..? Nah, I don’t even know why it’s here; I’ve only played it in gym…” she chuckled softly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Slappy snickered, “Well, I bet I could beat you, any day…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Isabel scoffed, “And what makes you so sure…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Um…easy. I can beat you in just about anything athletic…” Slappy challenged.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Isabel was beginning to get annoyed, “Oh, really…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Slappy smirked, “Yes, really…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Um…guys…” Samlovesham hesitantly attempted to avert their attention from behind the couch.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, what if I was to challenge you to a ping pong game, right now…?” Isabel asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, then I would beat you…” Slappy responded.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Guys..? The show…? That we’re watching...? Remember…?” Becky said in an irritated tone.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“YOU’RE ON!” Isabel said in a gruff voice.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Come on guys, really…?” Tash said fretfully.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah, must we do this, now…?” PurpleJerk wailed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“FINE! Tomorrow evening at 6:00! You and me! At the park! Ping pong match!” Isabel declared.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll be there!” Slappy said in a serious tone.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Guys…this is not a good idea…” Samlovesham warned them.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah, I’m with SLH on this one…” Tash agreed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“TIME FOR THE MIDNIGHT BANQUET!!!” Sydney loudly announced.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“…What midnight banquet?” Isabel asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sydney groaned softly, “The one that you always daydreamed you would have with all your ‘wiki buddies’…you’re welcome…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“OMG! Thanks, Sydney! Although, I don’t recall it being at midnight, and didn’t I imagine it during Thanksgiving…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you coming or not!?” Sydney asked flatly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Ha-ha, yes!” Isabel beamed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Before she could step out, Sydney stopped her and took her aside, “Hey, what the heck is going on between you and baldy!?” she demanded.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“N-Nothing…” Isabel responded as she chuckled nervously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sydney all of a sudden became outraged, “…Did you have a thing with that guy!!??”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Isabel blushed, “…No…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sydney gave her a death stare.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes,” Isabel shamefully confessed in a little voice.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sydney shook her head in disgust, “Oh, Izzy…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">At that, Isabel guiltily scampered out of her way.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Within a few minutes, everyone flooded the banquet room. The entire table was delicately set with all of Isabel’s favorite dinner dishes as well as thousands of chairs, each reserved for all the users. Isabel sat between Slappy and Samlovesham.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">After a long, pleasant period of eating and enjoying each other’s company, Isabel stood up, tapped her glass and proposed a toast, “Excuse me? May I have everyone’s attention, please?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">All of the side conversations slowly faded into a hush of respectful silence.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Um..okay. I just wanted to start out by saying that I always knew…” She paused briefly before she continued, “I always knew that someday, somehow, we would all eventually find one another and finally be together…sure, I was expecting it to be under slightly different circumstances, but regardless, I always believed that it would happen…and I know that not all of us were on the best of terms prior to being here…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">There was a slight unease that came about when Isabel mentioned that.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“…but despite all the drama that had affected us during our time on the wiki, we were all still able to remain strong, and that’s something that I’ve always admired about us, and I think it’s exactly what has kept our community alive and running for so long…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sydney, who was sitting patiently at the end of the table, listened closely to Isabel’s speech; insightfully nodding her head.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">“…Anyway, I guess I just wanted to thank each and every one of you individually for the many ways you have all truly touched and changed my life…” She first turned to Churchpants, “Choo, you were one of my very first friends on the wiki, and from early on, you have always been there to support and defend me. We still remain very close to this day, and I am immensely thankful that I have gotten to know you so well…you’re just awesome!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">Churchpants smiled fervently.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Next, she turned to xx, “xx, from the moment we met, you have always been extremely sweet and have stood by me through thick and thin…I know that whenever I have a problem, or if I’m just feeling down, I can come to you and you will listen and understand. You don’t know how much I need this, and how much it means to me that you’re actually willing to do it…it’s an incredible feeling…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Xx melted a sincere smile. Sydney was beginning to melt, as well.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">She then turned to Slappy, “Gosh, Slappy, where do I begin..? Thank you for putting up with me…and all my antics. You’ve probably seen every side of me; the best and the worst I have to offer…and yet you’re always there; making me laugh, cheering me up, and making me feel a little less like a monster and a little more like a human…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Slappy seemed genuinely surprised at this proposal and sympathetically raised his eyebrow.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel closed her eyes and envisioned something for a moment before turning to the next user, “Samlovesham….oh, my Tuba…how I love you so…” she began emotionally, “You’re just amazing in so many ways that I can’t even comprehend….what can I say? You’re my best friend and I…” she choked up, “I love you…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney couldn’t take it anymore, “Okay, that’s ENOUGH!” She began dragging Isabel out of the room.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“NO! Come on, Sydney! I wasn’t finished! I didn’t get to everyone! Ugh, Sydney…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Once they were both out of the earshot, Sydney began bawling hysterically.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Sydney, what’s wrong!?” Isabel asked in concern.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“I’M SORRY!” Sydney shrieked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“…What?” Isabel asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“I’M SORRY I TRIED TO TEAR YOU GUYS APART, I WAS JUST JEALOUS; I DIDN’T WANT TO LOSE YOU!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Sydney…it’s okay…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“NO, it’s not! I just…I…I’m sorry…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“No, Sydney, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have accused you of such harsh, horrible things, yesterday. I know you had nothing to do with them being here. I guess the idea of endangering my wiki buddies put me over the edge and I wasn’t thinking straight…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“No, no, that wasn’t your fault! The truth is, I know you care about them and I can tell they care a lot about you, too…” They both stood in silence for a moment as Sydney sniffled.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“…You know, the wiki will always have a special place in my heart, but there’s always going to be a special place in my heart for you, too…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">More tears welled up in Sydney’s face.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“You’ve had an equally powerful influence on my life, and creating and developing you has made me who I am today…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney blinked graciously and gave Isabel a long, meaningful hug.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Now, let’s go finish eating!” she said with a chuckle.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel grinned,“Yeah, all this sentiment has worked up an appetite.”