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What..

Candace stared across the table, completely dumbfounded by the woman across from her. When did she agree to this? Nevertheless, it was..always really nice to see Clarice..

"I warn you..I probably do." She looked uneasy, eyes darting to the tower and then to the blonde on the other side. "You first."

The structure wobbled and Candace held off on trying to take a piece, only doing so when it had steadied itself. The corner of her mouth twitched in a slight smile. "I imagine it's hard to play when.." She stopped herself there and simply placed the piece back on top of the tower in the proper game playing way. "You're not even playing right," Candace admonished affectionately, still smiling. If Candace was going to get called out for it then so was Clarice. Fair is fair!

She pursed her lips as she watched Clarice, a strange, unreadable expression on her face. "That's something you like? That sounds fun.." All the time they spent together and she took Clarice for granted. She didn't get to know her as well as she thought she had before.

She took Clarice for granted. Clarice would never leave them.

"I've missed you," Candace said softly. "A lot of people have, I think. The island's a little darker without you around. How have you been?"

"Oh, huh..for once it's not me knocking the damn thing down." She chuckled, putting her elbows on the table and holding her chin in her hands to instead watch Clarice make something not a tower. "What're you making?" Candace was genuinely curious. How long had it been? Too long. She had truly missed Clarice, she meant it when she said the world was a darker place without her.

Clarice's answer had her smile falling and purple eyes turning up to meet Clarice's gaze. Lonely and cold. Where did she go after..? How could Clarice of all people not be in a nice place? It was Clarice. Clarice was nothing but wonderful, she was warm, and friendly, all she ever wanted was everyone to be happy. And everyone took her for granted. Everyone forgot about their mortality. Everyone took advantage of her even if they didn't realize it.

I meant to hang out with you more. I meant to say hello. I meant to check on you. I meant to invite you. I meant.

I meant to.

I was going to.

I should have.

I forgot to.

I assumed you'd always be there for next time.

A hard, painful lump formed in Candace's throat. She sniffed, smiling as she gave a short, forced laugh at herself and ran a finger along the underside of one of her eyes. "Oh god, ********> she laughed again, "I'm a mess, I swear, getting all emotional like this. Sorry. Um." She sniffed. Her voice wavered, it was difficult to speak around the pain in her throat and chest. She was trying so hard.

Candace gave Clarice another smile. "Sorry. Anyway. What're you building now?"

lizbot

...What?

Candace blinked, looking up only to realize everything had gone pitch dark. And then she was alone. Well..was she alone? "Clarice..?" She sat up. "Clarice, where did you go?" She pushed her chair back and stood, looking in every direction despite the game pieces being the only thing she could see.

"Clarice. No. No, no..don't leave. No. Don't leave me again. CLARICE!"