Nox didn't mention anything. Not about the van. Not the punch. Not anything about the squirrel. Not the panda still mumbling in his own sweat.
Laughter still clung to him as he walked through the park. Finally spotting his friends, he rushed over to them.
They stood next to a towering Ferris wheel, its glowing lights reflecting off the nearby buildings, painting dancing color patterns across every surface. The gentle hum of the ride, mixed with the distant laughter and chatter of the park, made the moment feel surreal compared to the usual tension of Coreline's streets. Compared to what Nox had just witnessed.
The night had settled in, and the park was now fully illuminated in bright carnival colors, in every shade and form.
Nox took one look at Chet before smirking, like nothing had happened.
"Alright, big guy, ready for the next adventure? Maybe something more relaxed now, perhaps this Ferris wheel?"
Chet tilted his head, inspecting the ride. The gondolas swayed slightly as they ascended, held only by the creaking metal arms of the wheel. He let out a deep breath.
"Uh... yeah, about that."
He scratched the back of his head.
"Pretty sure this thing wasn't built for someone my size. It reads here... only small and medium animals allowed."
Nox chuckled.
"Oh, come on. What, you think you'll break the whole ride?"
Chet crossed his arms.
"I think the real danger is not following the rules here. You two go ahead, I'll wait down here and, uh... guard the snacks or something."
Zee smirked, stretching her arms.
"Guess it's just you and me again."
Nox placed a hand over his heart.
"Oh, Whiskers. Don't sound so disappointed. I'll try my best not to fall asleep."
She rolled her eyes, but there was a flicker of amusement in her expression.
"Lucky me."
Chet chuckled, already making himself comfortable on a nearby bench, some pretzels in one hand and roasted almonds in the other.
"You two go enjoy the view. I'll be here, cheering you on from solid ground."
The ride operator helped them into the gondola, its interior small but oddly cozy, padded with red carpet from the inside. The faint scent of old cloth and mechanical grease lingered in the air, blending with the distant sweetness of candy from the stalls below.
With a cracking whir, the wheel began to turn, lifting them higher above the park. The world below shrunk into a blur of lights, dancing across the skyline, as if CoreCoaster was fading into the night.
Nox leaned back, tipping his hat slightly as he peered out into the cityscape. The skyline consisted of more buildings stretching endlessly, a labyrinth of towering structures patched together like a city built on top of itself.
"You know, for all its faults, all its corruption... Coreline looks almost... peaceful from up here."
Zee rested her chin on her hand, her gaze distant as she stared at the view.
"Yeah... almost like it's a different city entirely."
A pause. Then she glanced sideways at him.
"It's kind of weird seeing you like this. Quiet for once."
Nox let out a soft chuckle, not of joy, but full of something heavier. His tail flicked idly behind him. The past moment still clung to him.
"Heh. You know I'm full of surprises. In every corner, something different happens."
Zee's smirk faded as she leaned back in her seat. It was like she understood the assessment without further explanation.
"So, what's the deal with you, Nox? You act like nothing bothers you, but..."
She hesitated for a second, then sighed. Her emerald green eyes shimmered in the reflection of the Ferris wheel. The corners of her eyes lit up like fireworks had just bloomed behind them.
"I don't know. Sometimes it feels like there's more going on in that head of yours than you let on."
Nox didn't respond immediately. Instead, he watched the horizon, where the faint glow of the Nexus gleamed against the darkening sky. Its neon spires reached far above the Lower District, untouched by smog, untouched by the weight of survival, untouched by the chaos.
"Maybe there is," he said finally. "Or maybe I just like keeping people guessing."
He turned to her, his expression softer than usual.
"What about you? Always so focused, so serious... but here you are, actually enjoying a night out with me."
Zee rolled her eyes, though her tail twitched slightly. She scratched her elbow, feeling the need to touch something.
"Don't flatter yourself, fox boy. I'm here for the rides..."
"Sure you are," Nox teased, leaning in slightly.
"But admit it. This view wouldn't be the same without me."
Zee huffed, but there was no real annoyance in her voice.
"You're impossible."
The wheel reached its peak, and the gondola paused, swaying gently in the breeze.
From this height, Coreline stretched endlessly beneath them, a city full of stories, struggles, dreams, and forgotten people, all blending together in a city with seemingly infinite shades of grey. Every shade, one emotion, all oppressed by the city.
Nox's voice softened.
"You ever wonder if things could really change down there? I mean really... really change."
Zee followed his gaze, her expression unreadable.
"Change doesn't happen on its own, Nox."
He glanced at her, longer than he usually did. Something about this moment felt different. Zee's fur cast light shadows over her face. Her cat ears perched up, twitching with motion.
"Guess that's where we come in, huh?"
She met his eyes, her voice quieter this time.
"Maybe. But even the best plans need a good distraction sometimes."
Nox laughed, leaning back.
"Well, lucky for you, I'm great at distractions."
Zee whispered something. Not to Nox. No — she whispered it to herself.
"Great at distracting yourself, yeah..."
As the gondola began its descent, the moment lingered, unspoken but undeniable. The hum of the wheel, the flickering neon below, the distant sounds of the park...
For once, neither of them felt the need to fill the silence.
She leaned her head back, looking up at the glowing structure above them, a soft smile playing on her lips, calm despite the wind.
It wasn't a happy smile. It was resilience, the kind you wear when you're at your lowest but still believe it'll go up again.
When eventually is the only thing you can work with. Nox watched her in silence. Looked at her, really looked.
The memory of that call flickered through his mind. The voice in the background. The way Zee tried to brush it off.
He opened his mouth. Then closed it again. He almost said something, but the words were stuck in the back of his throat, refusing to come out.
The moment was too still. Too peaceful. So he let it pass. He faintly smiled, joining her, gazing at the beautiful sight.
Below them, the city unraveled like a tangled spiderweb of glowing veins. Neon lines pulsing through shadowed streets, advertisements flickering like artificial stars.
The rooftops stacked endlessly, towering all around them, layers upon layers, until the lowest ones disappeared into the foggy darkness.
With Zee, all these endless grey shapes almost turned into rainbows.
The sight wasn't peaceful. But from up here, it almost looked like it was trying to be.
After a settling moment, the gondola gently touched the ground, creaking as the ride came to a full stop. The operator swung the door open, and Nox hopped out first, adjusting his hat with a flourish before turning dramatically toward Zee.
"Milady," he said, bowing and offering his hand.
Zee rolled her eyes, but a smirk tugged at her lips as she took it.
"You're such a dork."
"Yeah, but that's why you're here," Nox shot back, winking.
Chet, waiting nearby, held what looked like an oversized novelty balloon shaped like a star.
"There you two are! Have fun up there?" he asked, his deep voice warm with curiosity.
Nox waved a paw dismissively.
"Eh, it was alright. Nothing you couldn't see from standing on your tiptoes, big guy."
Zee nudged him lightly.
"It was nice. Peaceful. And Nox even managed not to fall asleep looking at the view."
Chet chuckled.
"Glad to hear it. But it's getting late. I don't know about you two, but I'm ready to call it a night."
As they walked toward the park's exit, the neon lights dimmed behind them, the distant hum of attractions fading into the cool night air.
Chet stretched his arms, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"Man, that last ride was something else. I'm still feeling the wind in my fur."
Zee smirked, adjusting her glasses.
"You sure it's not your dinner trying to escape after all that spinning?"
Nox tossed a coffee cup he had bought into a nearby bin.
"Well, one thing's for sure. This park's got nothing on my 'adventurous lifestyle.' Still, not a bad way to spend the day."
As they passed by the ticket booth, the deer lady from earlier waved at them with a cheeky grin.
"Heading out already, handsome?" she teased, her gaze lingering on Nox.
Nox grinned, tipping his hat.
"Duty calls. Gotta keep the streets of Coreline interesting, y'know."
Zee groaned, grabbing his sleeve.
"Come on, Romeo. The bus won't wait forever."
Nox laughed, letting her pull him along.
For once, the night felt like it had given Nox something rare.
A pause from his chaos. A pause from Coreline. And maybe, just maybe, something he could hold on to.