M A R I O N E T T E
Marionette watched with nervous anticipation as Fade stared blankly at her for a moment, as though deciding something for himself. Was he going to take it? He wouldn't dare snub her kind offer, would he? She couldn't let that happen. That would mean the failure of her plans. Fade was supposed to be her friend, so that's what he was going to be. There was nothing else to it.
To her joy, the tension was finally broken as, with a slight shrug, her friend-to-be took the tray from her and seated himself, slowly and methodically setting about eating his meal. Marionette clasped her hands together excitedly, watching with mounting joy as Fade took first one bite, then another, soon settling into a slow pace of eating bit by bit, clearing the plate item by item until there was almost nothing left. Marionette's breath caught in her throat, relief and happiness painted plainly on her face. It had worked! He liked it! There had been nothing to worry about all along after all. Of course! Why had she been afraid, anyway? Fade would never be so rude as to reject her offer. She was just about to ask him if he had liked it - she already knew the answer, but she wanted to seem polite, of course - when he stopped, turning to her in his usual blank manner before speaking a brief "thank you," and going back to eating. Marionette smiled happily, and quickly replied.
"O-oh, it's nothing!" She said ecstatically. "I should be thanking you for eating it." Smiling happily as her partner at last finished, rising from his chair, she was just about to say something else - maybe start a conversation, or something similar, when he abruptly walked past her. As she turned to follow him, however, he did something she hadn't expected, filling her heart with elation at the incredible success of her plan to befriend him. Reaching out, he placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair kindly. She shut her eyes, smiling joyously as he passed by. Even if he said nothing more than "Let's go," she knew. He was happy with her. He was going to be her friend. It had worked! Nodding excitedly, she bounced out of the room right by his side, not falling behind for an instant as they made their way out into the hallways. They visited the kitchen to drop off the used tray of dishes, and then kept on walking somewhere else, but Marionette didn't really care at all about that. She was too busy staring at Fade, her newest, first, and only friend.