Jason the toy maker, why me? (Complete)

The day after

The next morning I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the cracked window. Jason wasn't beside me but there was a note on the nightstand.

It read:

"My dearest, beautiful Bella,
I apologize for you having to wake up alone after that wonderful night but alas I had to leave for work. Candy pop is home so do not forget to dress before leaving the room. I found some clothes that you might fit from others, try them on as you like and see what pleases you. Should Candy pop give you any trouble whatsoever just call for Licorice and I will have Red Mouse, I have reprogrammed him and the others to know you and accept you so that you made handle them freely without consequences. However the wax dolls are still off limits, I shall explain that at a later date. Should you require anything in the meantime just let Licorice know and he will tell me. I left the window cracked as it had gotten rather warm in the room and I thought you might like some fresh air. I will be home in the afternoon.

Much love, Jason the toy maker."

At the end was a small drawing of him with hearts around it, it was adorable. I stretched a bit before climbing off the bed. Over on a chair sat a pile of clothes mostly red or tan. I walk over to the pile and look through them, they were all very pretty but one in particular caught my attention. It was a soft red dress with pink lace around the top and bottom, it didn't have sleeves but rather straps and the back was closed.

After looking the dress over I got out of my nightgown and pulled the red dress over my head. It slipped on easily and fit nicely. I head to the connected bathroom and find a hairbrush and a cloth with tooth-powder next to it with another note.

It read:

"Hello again my lovely Bella. I figured you would like to clean yourself up. I splurged a bit and got you the best stuff money could buy. And yes I used actual money for this. Feel free to use anything you'd like.

With much love, Jason the toy maker"

I giggled a bit and set the letter down. I look to the cloth and brush, the brush was much better quality than the ones mother ever had and didn't look like any I had ever seen before. I spend a while brushing my hair and cleaning my teeth. The tooth-powder tasted funny as I had never used it before but it cleaned my teeth a lot better then anything else.

Once I was done I walked to the white door, but something in my stomach sank. I slowly turned the handle and opened the door and standing on the other side was Candy pop.

I go to close the door quickly but Candy pop quickly put a hand on the door and held it open. "Wait!" He said in a hurry. "I-" he hesitated as I continued to try to shut the door to no avail. "I want to apologize."

I stop trying to shut the door and look at him. "What?"

"Look kid, I-" he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away, letting go of the door. "I'm sorry. The way I acted, and the way I scared you wasn't ok. I almost got you killed." He stared at the ground and fiddled with the bells on his clothes. "It wasn't ok and I'm sure you probably won't forgive me but, I just feel bad. I swear I'm not a bad guy, I just have a bad side. And I don't mean that in a don't get on his bad side kinda way." He did a funny movement where he pretended to puff out his chest and act like he was walking. It looked goofy and I laughed a little which made him chuckle a bit. "But I mean in a different personality kinda way." He sighed softly. "Do you think we could be friends?"

I stared at him for a while, he looked like he was being honest but something told me to be careful. "I don't know. If you have two sides, how do I know you won't switch on me again?"

He goes to say something but then closes his mouth and looks away. "You've got a point. I don't fully have control of night terrors and so I couldn't promise your safety from him. But I'll try." He gave a sheepish smile and looked at me.

I sigh softly and shake my head "As long as you don't act creepy or scary or anything."

I gently push past him and walk to the kitchen. I was hungry and something smelled good. Candy pop followed behind me at a distance, not really saying much. As I step into the kitchen I see a wide variety of foods cooked and ready to eat.

"I, uh, wasn't sure what you would want so I made a bit of everything." Candy pop gave me a nervous smile.

"Why are you trying so hard?" I look at him slightly confused.

"Huh?" He looks back at me puzzled.

"Why are you trying so hard to get me to like you?" I cross my arms and shift my weight a bit.

Candy pop let's put a heavy sigh with a look of defeat. "Ok, so Jason told me you would be living here from now on and if I want to stay too he said I had to get along with you. And I don't have anywhere else to go but that stupid mansion and I don't want to live around those idiots. SOOOOO I'm trying to be nicey nicey with you." He gave me a sarcastic look "Happy now? Is that what you wanted to hear?"

I glared at him for a moment. "I can't tell if you are messing with me or being honest."

He throws his hands up "OH COME ON!" he drops to his knees, leaving him only at eye level with me.  "I'm trying here kid! Throw a dog a bone would ya? Give an old Genyr a break!" His long pointed ears hung low by his head.

I laugh quite a bit. "It is rather entertaining to see you like this, I will be honest." I sigh softly and smile at him. "But it is also rather pitiful as well. I suppose I can give you one last chance."

His ears perked up and he smiled. "You mean it!? Do you really mean it?!"

I laugh some more. "You are like a puppy who has been offered a treat. Yes. Now please get off your knees, it makes me rather uncomfortable having you at eye level."

Candy pop quickly hops up and jumps around in joy. "Oh happy days!" He does a little jig that makes me laugh. He grabs my hands and looks me in the eyes "I swear, I will do all in my power to keep Night terrors at bay."

I give an uncomfortable smile. "I believe you but please back up. You don't want Jason getting the wrong idea." I nod to Licorice who is sitting on a nearby shelf.

He quickly backs away with his hands up. "I'm sorry! So sorry!" He puts his hands behind his back and stands up. "Shall we eat?"

I nod as my stomach growls. "Yes! This all smells delicious!"

Candy pop smiles and pulls out a chair for me. "Thank you! I've been up all morning cooking!"

"All morning? How long have I been asleep!?" I sit down and look around to find a window but there was none in the kitchen.

Candy pop chuckled and poked his head out the kitchen door and stared at something down the hall. "Well it's about two o'clock in the afternoon so for quite some time. Then again I'm sure you were quite tired after yesterday." He walks over and sits down. "Jason should be home around five. So you have about three hours to kill."

I stare at Candy pop shocked. "Do you all have a clock?"

Candy pop was reaching for a plate of food when he stops and looks at me. "Yeah?" His eyes widen "Wait, did you not own a clock before?"

I look away from Candy pop to Licorice who was not sitting on the table next to me. "No, I didn't really have much back there." My voice was hushed.

"Oh," Candy pop looks away awkwardly. "Uh," he didn't know what to say and I didn't blame him, I didn't know what to say either. "What's something you always wanted?"

I look at him as he is now staring at me resting his chin in his hands, elbows propped on the table. "Umm," I thought for a moment "Oh! Well there is a new thing going around that looks rather interesting! I think it's called a Ve-loc-I-pede?" I struggled with the work as I had never heard it used before, I had seen flyers for it here and there.

"A Velocipede? Hmm interesting." Candy pop sat up and began to eat hurriedly.

"Wait, why?" I tilt my head.

"No reason!" After shoving food in his face he quickly stands up and walks over to me. Without a word he grabs Licorice who squeaks and squeals in protest then hurried out the room.

I try to get up quickly to follow him but as soon as I get to the hall Candy pop is already gone. I stare down the hall for a moment then sigh. I walk back to the table to eat.