It seems as though that as the weeks roll by and the tenderness of time begins to vaporise in the shallow midst of our mind space, there always does a come a moment when new opportunities arise for the two of these trolls.
Ariel and Trollex were spending their moments in the living room until they both perked up slightly at the sound of the doorbell. Trollex smiled and offered to get it silently, to which Ariel smiled back at before going about her buisness once again.
As soon as Trollex had paraded his way down the silent and previously lonely hallways he had made his final destination to the doorway. He opened it and was intrigued to see yet another letter with the same Pop flare that they had seen the last time they were given a letter. Trollex just mentally shook his head and the ridiculously colourful penmanship but alas continued to act on the outside with smile that was not so hard to manage.
"For you, King Trollex." the same seahorse had appeared with the letter. Trollex nodded his head gratefully and thanked him. "Thank you very much."
The seahorse nodded with a smile and continued to go about his buisness with his job.
As soon as Trollex shut the door, he swiftly swam back to the living room, this time more eager to open the letter. He didn't know if it was pure intuition, a coincidental urge, but he felt that what may be inside the letter would be an exciting piece of news that could benefit Ariel once again. She seemed to be getting much more comfortable around them and that's anything more than she could ask for. His thoughts were fading away as his view of the vast frame towards the living room had caused him to go back on track.
"Look what I got~" Trollex lightly sang, letting the last word stretch for comedic effect. Ariel was busy writing more songs in her journal, whom she was sharing with Mira. A look of confusion had spread her face, but she couldn't help but let a grin creep up on her adorable face.
"What is it, Lex?"
Trollex then handed the invitation to her.
Ariel skimmed over the letter to realise the very obvious penmanship had belonged to a certain pop troll. She had to take a moment to share a momentary smirk of knowingness with Trollex, who had done the same.
"Poppy." They both spoke.
Ariel giggled while Trollex just shook his head with a smile and shrugged.
"Well, better see what's inside then." Ariel carefully opened the envelope and read the letter out-loud.
"Dear King Trollex and Ariel,
As you both may or may not know, the pop trolls usually throw an excessive amount of parties and we encourage many people to come along.
However, this party will be trying something new and will be hosting it at Volcano Rock City with the help of Queen Barb who will join me on this experimental event.
Okay now that the boring stuff is said and done, I really hope that both of you can join and help sponsor the party! The more trolls the merrier as I say!
Thanks a bunch!
Lots of Love, Queen Poppy xx"
They both lit up at the idea.
"A party sounds tight! It's been a while since we had done a big one with everybody. Don't ya think?" Trollex exclaimed. Referring 'everybody' to the other genre of trolls.
Ariel smiled and laughed along with him. "I have to admit, though my other... experience- wasn't exactly ideal, I think...maybe...I feel like I can go out again..."
Trollex realised what she had just said and looked at her in shock for a moment.
"Wait, are you sure you're definitely gonna be fine at the party? You're willing to try again?" Though to most people, sure Ariel had been able to come so far with her social anxiety, but her panic attacks still haven't necessarily left her soul yet. He hated being in that situated not because it disadvantaged him, but he couldn't feel the pain that Ariel had felt in the moment enough to understand how scared she was - which still to this day was horrifying for him. The thought of Ariel trying to situate herself in another incredibly crowded space like that only made him more aware of how much she truly has surpassed.
Ariel had to take a moment to understand her decision this moment. She always finds herself stuck in a constant riptide that one direction had only pulled her in the same constant state of no success or accomplishment what so ever.
Though her decisions don't necessarily seem so vital now, it could mean different things in the future that was to come. Her intuition clung onto the back of her mind in the least beneficial way possible because her actions may seem deliberate and unpredictable.
How?
She would never know, which is why hesitation was her only form of counter-attack. The irony about it is that she wouldn't be making any moves from her tactics at all.
That was her biggest flaw.
But now? She has Trollex, Queen Essence, King Quincy, Barb, Branch and more that have been there through thick and thin.
What sort of riptide is she caught in... now that she knows what's on the other side?
That made everything clear for her at the very moment.
She looked back up at Trollex who was still listening for an answer. She nodded her head once again, the determination in her face was small - but it was a lot to Trollex.
"I'm so proud of you, Ariel." Trollex smiled, embracing her so tenderly with enthusiasm that she couldn't help but blush at the sudden contact. Her heart was racing at infinite power, she felt it.
He was hugging her.
She was hugging him.
He was so warm.
He was so gentle, yet tender.
She didn't understand how.
She was too happy to bother.
Her actions were frozen as she lost her ability to move for a mere second until she realised that she should return this overwhelmingly warm gesture.
She hugged him back tenderly. "I have you to thank for it. I-I wouldn't have even thought about it if you hadn't helped."
She started to blush. Seeing as Trollex could only see from behind Ariel's viewpoint, he wasn't aware of her cheek's warmth. So as soon as it faded, they both had let go of their hug slowly.
So slowly that they found themselves quitting their movements to a point where they had paused halfway, their eyes meeting at an acceptable distance. Trollex had his hands underneath her arms, to which Ariel's arm had done the same.
"Would this be the right moment?"
Trollex's conscience has tattled back in fourth in his mind absentmindedly. He believed that he could make his move then and there. His ability to obtain courage at this significant era in affection seemed so liberal and honest. The idea came so commonly to him. His selfishness never overcame the thought that he had never been considerate to how Ariel would feel in a situation like that.
Despite his urges, his spontaneous moments of bravery and boldness, he digressed.
"Nah. Not yet. Better give myself time"
He offered her one of his heart-melting smiles and gave her a minor squeeze before letting go.
Ariel felt herself suddenly lose focus of her viewpoint. Though her arms were no longer in the strong muscular ones of Trollex, she couldn't help but feel slightly spooked at herself.
Not an ounce of fear, regret, self-consciousness during that physical affectionate moment.
Just pure bliss, contentment.
She loved that feeling.
Letting it downpour over the emptiness of her soul.
Just for a moment.
That small moment would come again, but it wouldn't last so long. At Ariel knew why it wouldn't, but her selflessness chose to forget her wishes and only think about how Trollex must feel.
He may be interested? Of course not he's a king, she's a commoner. But he's certainly changed the flow of self-entitled traffic. He may agree-
"Stop."
She felt her conscience stop herself mid-sentence
"Stop getting my hopes up. Stop playing with my feelings. Just stop."
Her mind was silent after that. She must've been in such a daze that had lasted her a significantly concerning my long time as she could nowhere the distorted voice of the devil himself.
"Ariel? Talk to me, you alright?"
Her eyes widened like she had woken herself up from what seemed to be a pool of anti-slumber, caught in the bliss of her own flowing thoughts that paraded her head like a circular fountain, she was the statue.
She shook her head. "Yes! Yeah, sorry... I- I got lost in thought, my apologies."
Trollex at her for a moment, his eyebrow slightly raised. He just then sighed and chuckled lightly with his eyes closed.
Ariel couldn't help but furrow her brows in confusion.
All were put on hold after Trollex replied with a small smile.
"You're way too formal, it's cute."