>"It's okay not to smile."
>The words come from the heart. The strings loosen, just a little, enough.
>Kris crouches down, and they hug Ralsei.
>He hugs them back.
>He talks about how it's getting harder to smile.
>He tells them how he wants to believe like how Susie does.
>Kris waits, composed their thoughts, then responds.
>"You said it can't hear what I say when I talk. I want you to know that it's me saying this."
>Ralsei nods into their shoulder.
>"What the SOUL said, back at the acid tunnel? I agree, at least to a point. I..."
>They pause. Ralsei's fur is still soft against their skin.
>"I like that you're you. I know the SOUL acts nice, but... It's true. Even without the SOUL, I like you. You're a good friend, Ralsei. I like that you're who you are, even if you don't fully know who that is yet."
>Kris sits there quietly almost a whole minute before Ralsei responds.
>He whispers, quiet like the wind.
>It sounds like he's crying.
>"Hearing that from you, Kris... Thank you.

>>528863403

>Ralsei takes the napkin from Kris, unwrapping it once more. He takes a few of the small cut up hot dog samples and eats a couple of them whole, chewing on them for a few seconds
>His eyes start to widen and begins blushing again, taken aback by the taste
>"!!!"
>"Oh, it's... so yummy!!! It's not like cake at all!", Ralsei says, almost laughing
>Ralsei begins to eat the rest of the free samples, a carefree smile running across his face, displaying an excited demeanor
>For only a few moments, Ralsei seemed to completely forgot about what it was he was contemplating earlier
>"Kris... that was.. really nice. Thank you so much... tell Susie that.. I appreciate it so, so much.", Ralsei says in a soft voice, feelings of gratitude dripping off of every word
>"Light world food is much tastier than food in the dark world! ...not that I would really know since, um, I've only ever tasted cake, but it was still great!"
>"...Kris... I don't have much to give Susie this time around, so.. if you could, just tell her that-"
>Ralsei pauses for a second to think
>"I loved everything she gave me. And tell her that I hope the festival fills her with joy!" Ralsei then flashes a bright, beaming smile, devoid of any worry or sadness
>Kris nods and begins to head out
>"Oh, Kris!!" Ralsei cries out, right before Kris leaves for the light world
>"...It was really, really nice to see you today.", Ralsei says, continuing to flash a bright smile
>Kris nods and exits the light world, making their way to the festival

>>528481645
Goodnight, anon.
Hope to talk to you again.

>>528481706
The ultimate goal of fellow lonely princes. I have something like this with someone I know, and I cherish it every day.
But you'll never be truly happy until you find some way to spread love and joy to as many people in your life as you possibly can, just like Ralsei.