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ticklish-touch · 1 year

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Trapped in the Backrooms - Ch 9: Reflection and Shadow

(Ragaeli x lee!Y/N - tickling, macro/size difference, soft bondage, unreality)

You and Ragamuffin finally have the chance to take a break from all the recent insanity of your Backrooms adventure. You see a different side to your Nightmare friend, and both of you start to see things from a different perspective after an imposing deity of the Grand Order makes his acquaintance.

(Chapter themes:

Lofi Beats / Vaporwave Mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsq7ytfzPAY

Limbo - Title Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRiF8mX_iVc )

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By the time the Court Jester let you take the path to your next destination, Ragaeli had to carry you bridal-style. You were totally laughter-drunk and buzzing with excitement. The circus, despite the massive battle between gods that you were caught in the middle of, had made you feel like a kid again. That being said, the entire last couple hours of insanity had completely worn you out. You were a little overwhelmed and in need of a break.

Thankfully, the huge hotel manor lit aglow with blue and purple neons became that needed refuge. The lounge in the main lobby instantly hit you with a calm Vaporwave feel; pastel neons everywhere, gridded patterns on nearly every piece of furniture, wall decor of sunsets and martinis, and soft synth music playing overhead. It was just warm enough to make you feel sleepy. Large glass windows from across the lounge looked out onto a twilight sky, and a glowing aquamarine pool in the courtyard. A few facelings wandered about the lounge and headed down hallways to the elevators, and gave you both a wave as they passed by. Quite a few of them did a double-take at Rags. He stuck out like a sore thumb among the cooler hues, and he was still wearing his extravagant ringleader suit.

Even the manic Nightmare seemed affected by the chill vibes. He plopped you down in a large nearby sofa, taking a seat next to you and laying back, lazily giving your leg a few pats. "Still feelin’ alright?" You nodded and laid out next to him, your head on the cushion in front of the armrest. "Lemme get into something more comfy." He snapped his fingers, trading his Ringleader getup for a cropped black tank-top, and baggy black jeans with a few chains. "How 'bout you get some shuteye? I'll keep looking for more clues n' stuff. Maybe get some giggles outta the guests here and a drink or two." You couldn't help but stare at his exposed midriff and arms for a moment, blushing a little. "Damn, you really do look good in anything, heh~" You then yawned loudly, already feeling yourself start to drift off. "But yeah, sounds good to me..." After getting a good stretch and curling up on the comfy couch, you drifted off, totally content...

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You slowly woke up to the sound of lo-fi synth quietly playing overhead. You'd slept so deeply that for a few moments, you could've sworn that everything that transpired was all some wild fever dream.

But Rags was still next to you on the sofa. He looked more serious than you'd ever seen him; almost comically so, mouth downturned into a frown, sitting like The Thinker, brow furrowed in concentration as he scanned through his hovering window onto the Backrooms. But upon noticing you starting to stir, he flashed you a playful grin, relaxing back against the couch. "Heyyy sleepyhead~ Get a good rest?" His speech was slower than usual, eyelids drooping. You let out a big yawn. “MMmmm… heh, yeah… How long have we been here…?” He shrugged. “About a half hour. Tried waking you up to see if you wanted food or drinks, but you’ve been out cold, heh." His portal window vanished and he slowly stood up to stretch out his arms and tail, his hair tendrils shuddering and fluffing up… Then he promptly collapsed back into the couch like a limp ragdoll. “Nnnghh…”

You raised an eyebrow. “You alright? Wear yourself out battling the Jester?” He sighed and shook his head. “Yeahh I’m fine… Wasn’t really going all-out anyways.” Your jaw dropped. "That wasn't going all-out??" “Heheh; yeah, well, I can’t expend all my magic yet. Jingles was also holding back. Good thing, too. If he’d gotten real serious then… we both would’ve been screwed.” “I see…” “There’s some kinda enchantment in this place trying to suppress my magic,” he muttered. “I can feel it. Dunno if he’s is actually giving us a chance to rest or if he’s trynna trance us for a second time…” He glared around the lounge suspiciously, scanning the other patrons and staff. “But I bet you feel it too, huh?” Come to think of it…You realized you’d been laying in the same position like a limp noodle. You thought your lethargy and brain fog came from exhaustion, but it seemed like a bit more than just relaxation. You didn’t want to move. “...I feel totally zooted.” He snorted and nodded. “Yeahh, sounds about right. It’s a lot like Featherbutt’s magic.” He reached over to wrap his arms around your waist and pull you up to his chest, stretching his legs out. “Let’s just… Lay down for a bit, yeah?” You were a little thrown off by how calm he was, but you certainly didn’t protest getting to snuggle close to him. He folded his arms behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. You were very tempted to sneak your hands into his exposed armpits. But your arms felt like noodles, and he looked like he was deep in thought. So you were content just huddling up to him for now.

"...It's quiet,” he stated after a few more minutes.

"Hm?"

"The laughter. It usually fills my mind. It's all I hear, night after night; the echoes and memories of peoples' beautiful, desperate laughter and begging and screams...My body vibrating with the excitement and hysteria I’ve collected…" He smirked a little, which quickly faded into an annoyed frown. "It's... Weird, not hearing or feeling it. I don't like it. Feels too lonely." "Heh…you're the only person I can think of that enjoys having voices in their head." He snorted again and gave a shrug. "I gotta hear the joy. The silliness. The madness…Feels like it gives me purpose. It's the reason I exist, after all." “Hmm…” You suppose it made sense. He had to rely on the very thing he was made out of in order to keep his physicality. "Used to be that I felt like the chaos is the main thing keepin' me running,” he continued. “But... nah. It's you guys. Without making connections, friendships, then the laughter wouldn't matter." His soft expression sank. He looked…guilty. “I can’t let you get stuck here. Not before I fade…"

You looked up at him thoughtfully. "Man... You sure are a different person when you're actually relaxed.”

He rolled his eyes. "Yeahh yeah... Kendoll tries to get me like this sometimes. Uses his soporific Dream magic, tries to get me to talk like I'm in a shrink's office." He scoffed. "I don't fuckin need therapy. If anyone needs therapy, it's him. Lovey-dovey goody two-shoes takes way more onto himself than he should. Lets them break down crying in his arms, lets them put their trauma on his shoulders." He shook his head. "Like I told ya, you can't help everyone."

You contemplated for a little bit. "Well... I think you take a lot on yourself too. You do your damndest to help people when you have the chance. Hell, you’re going through all this just to help me.” You smiled. “You may be the big bad scary tickle-obsessed maniac that could rule the world if he wanted to, but you fight for the sake of people that are so much smaller than you. That's really selfless." You could hear him grumbling before you'd finished your last sentence. Eventually he snuck his hands down to squeeze your sides. “Stop being so sappy already," he huffed. Glancing up, you could see a prominent blush on his face, cheeks puffed up in a pout.

You giggled into his chest. Then smirked a bit. Might be a good time to take advantage of all that exposed skin… "Don't you even– pffFFHEHE!!" He yelped and giggled the moment you snuck a hand down to tickle his toned belly, slipping your other hand under his armpit. He wiggled around underneath you, bubbly giggles rising up in his chest. "MMmMHEHEHE!!" He growled playfully and clamped his arms down, his long fingers starting to dance over your sides and back of your ribs. You yelped and gasped with laughter, burying your face into his chest. "GGhhhehee sorryyy-heheheh I c-couldn't resist~!" "Hmmph, you're lucky I'm a limp noodle right now or I'd make you fill this whole lounge with your laughter~" He chuckled and eased up after a few moments.

Still blushing brightly, you caught your breath after a few moments, huddling closer to him. "Hmm... anything else you wanna talk about?”

He took a deep breath, flopping his arms out around you, rubbing your back. He was still a sloppy hugger as always. "I dunno… Lounging around this place gave me time to think. Trying to remember more about this world. Going by what the Jester said at the end there, clearly there’s shit I’ve forgotten.” He sighed. "It's important to remember. Most important thing a person can do for a Dreamie or a Nightmare." He glanced down at you after this statement. It almost seemed like his comment was an instruction. "We can disappear just as soon as we come into existence. You know that weird feeling of a dream just going poof when you wake up? Well, if you can un-poof us in that mind palace of yours, if the slightest thing reminds you of that dream, we can come back right outta that No-Man's-Land." “…Okay yeah, you sound like you’re high as a kite.” "It’s true,” he scribbled his fingers up your ribs, making you yelp and give out lazy snickering. “Thank fuck for it, or I'd… I wouldn’t still be…" He drifted off again, stopping himself from finishing his sentence. He eventually gave a shrug, averting his gaze from you. "Not like that matters for me, of course~ I've been around for so long that nothing can get rid of me. Not even a broken-ass Hell dimension that either tries to kill me or makes me never want to leave.” he scoffed. “I’ll show ‘em. I’ll show ALL of ‘em they made a mistake fucking with me.” You thought things over for a bit. “Rags… I know you may not like hearing this, but… Maybe you should ease up a bit.” “Pfft– Yeah, right.” “I’m serious.” You frowned. “The more you cause trouble, the stronger you get, the more the entities here seem to target you. I love seeing you running around going apeshit, but… You heard what the Jester said. The entire world thinks you’re the enemy. It’s trapping you here on purpose.” He stayed silent. “I dunno, just… Maybe if you show others in the order that you’re not trying to take over the world or whatever, then they’ll be more willing to cooperate."

He shrugged. “They already decided I’m the enemy, from the moment I got stuck here. Tucking my tail and confessing like a kid eating out of a cookie jar isn’t gonna change their minds. If anything, it’s just gonna make them think I’m showing weakness. Just like my world in a lot of ways… Dog-eat-dog, monster-eat-monster. Shit, even some of the other monsters here aren't all about terrorizing their prey on the spot. Octo-dad, the twin fish sticks, my mini-army in the lab, Cartoon-Topia, the clown gang… All of 'em either came around quickly or weren't too keen on being the bad guy to begin with. Like they know how fucked up things are." He nonchalantly petted the back of your head. "And the fact that they have literal gods in power, letting all this insanity happen to all the sorry saps that end up here, is even worse…” His nose wrinkled in anger. “It makes me sick. Aside from trying to help you, that’s the biggest reason I’m showing off. Showing ‘em that if they keep picking on the little guy, the crazyass god that actually cares is going to take down their whole operation.” You sighed, laying your head back on his chest. “Yeah… I understand that. I just… Don't want to see you get hurt."

He grumbled after a few more minutes, starting to fidget and try to sit himself back upright. “Rrrghhh… This neon eyesore’s making my mind slow down enough to get all introspective n’ shit. Hate it," he retched. "It's so boring. Life's way more fun living every moment to the fullest!! I'm immortal, I don't NEED to rest!!" He huffed and yelled, catching the attention of some of the Faceling patrons. After you rolled off of him, he tried to stand up and stomp his foot down, his hair tendrils slithering like Medusa snakes... before falling limp right along with the rest of his body, plopping back into the sofa. “Hhhhh…” He rubbed his head. This time he laid back against your lap.

You blushed a little bit when he laid back against you, resting your hands over his shoulders. "Man, you're really not down for getting high, are you?" "Fuck no," he scoffed. "My body fights it. Getting wasted is kinda fun though, heh. You think I'm a loopy bitch now, you oughta see me when I'm barely able to hold my form together and got giggles and magic flyin' all over the place." “Heh; yeah, I’ve seen how you get at parties,” you nonchalantly poked at his ear. “Ngh– Hey,” he swatted your hand away. Oh yeah; he was touchy about his ears being touched. Even though you knew from Kenni that he secretly liked it.

“.....” A grin came to your face. Slowly, you crept your hands closer to his scalp. He let out a low growl and glanced up at you to narrow his gaze. “Don’t. You. Dare.” But your smile just became all the more mischievous. “Why not? What’re you gonna do about it?” With that, you slipped your fingers into his hair, tracing and scritching his scalp.

He gasped loudly; you felt his body shudder under you, his hair fluffing up like a cat’s. He let out a mix between a loud sigh, and a long, deep growl - a bit like purring. “Hnnnghhh-!! Y-You sonuva bihihitch…!” Breathy giggles bubbled up from his chest, and a wide, wobbly smile stretched across his face, eyelids drooping shut. “Nnghhh-hmmhmh..!!” You had the biggest smile on your face. “God, you’re so cute like this,” you teased. “The Big Bad power-mad Tickle Monster, taken down by head scritchies. You deserve affection too, y’know~!” The continued comments just made him whine and pout and giggle all the more, trying to clamp one hand over his burning face while using his other hand to half-heartedly try and yank your hand away from his head. His tail slowly thumped on the floor, rhythmically. It was wagging. “Ffffhhhkhehehe I-I’m so gonna fuggin mahahake you payy for thihihis!!” “Oh, I’m sure you will. I look forward to it~” After a few more giggly whines and flustered growls, and after he started attempting to genuinely roll away from you, you finally relented. He quickly sat upright and glared daggers at you with his bright maroon-tinted face, his tail thrashing like an agitated cat, sneering and hunching forward, preparing to pounce. You felt giddy, and not just because of the impending revenge. He’d told you that he never let anyone play so gently with him like that except for Kenni, and you knew he could’ve easily retaliated if he wanted to, even in a weakened state. He truly did trust you. “C’monn, you know you liked iiIIIIT–!!” You squealed when he leapt forward and buried his fingers into your sides, playing them like a piano. Your body was so relaxed that you could barely even squirm away. “Nnnnhh-hehehehe!! I-I was just playiiiihihing!!” He still had a pissy sneer on his face, but his tickling was a bit more gentle than usual. “Hmmphh, now who’s the cute one?? Lookit you, can’t even do anything except laugh and take the tickles~”

You felt your blush growing hotter and you weakly tried to push his arms away. When that didn’t work, you hid your face. He leaned in close and lowered his voice by your ear. “Tiiiickletickletickle–” You yelped and shoved your palm against his face. “S-Staaahahappp!!” You tried to retaliate by sneaking a hand underneath his armpit. He gasped and let out hyena-giggles, squirming back and forth over you. He doubled-down by slipping his hair tendrils up your shirt and swirling them around your belly, and sneaking a couple inside of your shoes to slip between your toes. “YyeeEE-Hehehe!!” You whined and weakly bucked underneath him. His annoyed expression had become much more soft and playful. His smile widened when you tried again to attack his midriff with scribbling fingers, bubbling up with happy hyena-giggles, pushing his weight into you to try and clamp your arms back down against the couch. “NnnNNHHehehe nihihice try~!!”

After a couple more minutes, both of you wound down from your tickly playtime. Rags went back to slumping back on the couch, arms around the back of the seat, taking in the scenery. You sat up to stretch your arms. "Mmnnn... think I will get a drink while I'm here." You slowly started to stand up, nearly staggering right back onto the sofa. "Wah-!" Rags put a hand to your back. "Easy there, tipsy. You sure you need a drink?" He snickered. "Oh shut up," you gently smacked his arm before heading over to the bar.

The faceling bartender gave you a wave and handed you a menu. "Y'know, there's a nice deal on double rounds tonight. Perfect for lovely couples like you two." "Oh? Thanks, but we're not a couple." "Really? You two seem very close." You shrugged. "I mean, we are really close. Just not like that. He's aromantic, for one thing. And... let's just say he gets around a lot. He's happy hooking up with partners, he just isn't interested in settling down." "I see. Open relationship?"

"Yeah, more or less." You didn't really want to go into how... complicated things were with him. You loved him dearly, of course; you had a very close bond with him. But you also knew things couldn't really work between you, even if you both did want to go for a solid relationship. He was immortal, a wild and free spirit, visiting hundreds of people per night. He literally couldn't comprehend the idea of staying partners with one person for the remainder of their life. And you wouldn't want to ask that of him. "Either way… I'm happy to be part of his life," you commented out loud, smiling thoughtfully.

The bartender prepared your drink of choice. "Apologies for being nosey. I've just... Never seen anyone like him. Never seen such an imposing-looking entity huddle up to a Wanderer. Then again, the Manor has a way of softening everyone up. Forgetting the dangers out there..." He trailed off, 'looking' off into the lounge as if contemplating. “Heh; well, thanks to him, we’ve both avoided a lot of the most dangerous Levels. We’re just... Doing our best not to hit a dead end.” The bartended nodded, leaning an arm on the counter. "Well, don't worry about the things you can't change, yeah? Does you no good. Just keep looking for the good things. Even in the worst situations, there's always a solution." He took your glass and started tending to another beast-like entity that came up to order.

You headed back over toward Rags, who had his eyes locked on you. "Have a nice talk?" He scritched at your side when you say back down. "N-Ngh-heheh! Yeah," you smiled. "I know how hard you crush on me," he grinned smugly. "And you're right about me, buuut that doesn't mean I'm not gonna tease the hell outta you for your little crush~" Before you could comment, he leaned in and put his teeth to the base of your neck and shoulder, nibbling and growling playfully. "Rrrrrr nomnomnom~" You yelped and shivered hard, shoving him away and hiding your burning face. "S-Stooppp you jerk!!" He giggled impishly, ruffling your hair and sinking back against the couch, summoning up a portal window to start scanning through it again. “Hm… Feels like our Jester buddy might still be keepin' an eye on us. That strong energy signature has been around since you woke up."

“Really?” You looked around to see if you could spot him. You did a double-take when you saw a tall man in a trenchcoat from across the other side of the lounge, sitting on the armrest of another chair, looking directly at you, with familiar vibrant teal eyes. It was the same man you saw peering at you on the TV screen at the science lab. The same man that caught your attention at the amusement park. “Rags… I don’t think that’s the Jester.” “Oh?”

With that, the man narrowed his gaze, and vanished in a burst of golden light just before Rags looked over in his direction.

“We’re being followed around. I’ve seen that same guy from the TV in the lab three times now.” He cocked an eyebrow, looking amused. “Really? And he doesn’t have the balls to show himself to me?” He snickered. “These damn High-and-Mighty Order-Ups really can’t handle us bein’ here. You’d think they’d try to get us outta here sooner in that case. It’s like a nightclub letting a raging druggie run around breaking shit, instead of having his ass kicked out.” He shrugged, starting to scan through portals again. “Hmm… Maybe I could trick one of ‘em… Get them to let their guard down first…”

He stopped scrolling for a few moments, squinting at the image in front of him: A brick wall, with a large pitch-black square hole cut out of the middle. It seemed to be leaking some kind of smoke or miasma. You looked over at the image, and felt a strange pull at your mind. As if it was beckoning you. "I...don't know why, but I feel like we should go there."

"I'm gettin that feeling too, actually. Probably another trap," he scoffed. "Not like that matters. We held our own against a god of the multiverse, I think we can handle another Big Bad," he stood up and pulled you to your feet. He gave a big stretch, his hair fluffing up for a moment. "MMmmm- Alright, let's get this show on the road!" He lazily threw the portal out in front of him. When you tried to follow behind him, his tail whipped out and grabbed you by the arm, swinging you out in front. "You first!!" He shouted to you as he shoved you through.

"AGH-" You exclaimed, stumbling on your feet, quickly spinning around to glare at him. "Would you quit doing that?!” You huffed. He just giggled, arms folded behind his head as he casually took a big step to follow behind you. "Whaaat? I just wanna keep an eye on ya. We ain’t chancing any Orpheus and Eurydice bullshit here.” "Mmhmm, sure. I think you just like having a reason to stalk behind me." You lunged your arm out toward his midriff. To which he grabbed it in a flash and pulled you right up to him, leaning his face down over you. "And what if I do~?" He snickered impishly at the bright blush that spread across your face. You gave him a shove back.

After your banter, you both turned your attention to the hole in the wall. It was much larger than it looked in the portal; it was probably close to twenty square feet. "Oooh, spooky," Rags commented. "Imagine something leaping out and pulling you in to wreck your shit~" “Sh-shut up,” you grumbled, shivering at the thought.

Stepping inside, you were met with pure silence; but you didn’t feel any dread, or malevolent energy. You still felt calm, albeit cautious. The darkness cleared only slightly, revealing a field of short, grey grass, and the silhouettes of tall pillars in the distance.

"Helloooo!!" Rags called out, his voice echoing in the darkness. “Marco??” He tried holding up a hand and conjuring up a large red plasma-ball beacon, but it only gave off enough light to see a few more feet in front of you. "Damn, this darkness is thick... Could hide away pretty easily if we need to. Could play a hell of a game of hide-and-seek~” You both wandered up to the nearest pillar, looking it over in curiosity. It was inscribed with a completely alien-looking language, and looked ancient.

But before you both had the chance to explore further, you started to hear huge, rumbling footsteps approaching. You stood beside Rags, who took a defensive stance, hands crackling with energy.

A giant figure started to become visible in the darkness. It stood at probably a good fifteen feet; the height of Rags’ true form. He was a massive humanoid with pure black skin, completely clothed in a shiny suit of black metal armor with a long cape, two pairs of sharp, bull-like horns on his head, wearing a pure onyx crown with a single white gemstone. Ethereal white flames arose from inside the edges of his spiked pauldrons. He had no facial features, save for his pure-white eyes that pierced through the darkness. Rags whistled, standing upright, his magic calming down. “Another big boy, huh? Let’s see what this one has in store~” he opened his arms in an overly-exaggerated swagger. You could’ve sworn you saw the red aura around his hands glow brighter for a moment. "Too bad I can't get every major outpost in the Backrooms to look in on us and see that these guys are real, heh." The entity tilted its head, but otherwise didn’t respond. You swallowed, cautiously taking a step forward, craning your neck to look up at him. “Um… Hello?”

“You came after all.” The entity’s deep voice rumbled out. “I was uncertain whether the signal I put forth would reach you, but I’m glad that it did.” His deep voice carried a certain gentleness and warmth to it, despite his size and intimidating stature. He even knelt down to try and meet you at more of an eye level. “So you’re the Wanderer and the Interloper that have been causing a ruckus… How fascinating.” You nodded. “Yeah, heh… We don’t mean any harm, though, I promise! This one’s just a maniac,” you gestured over to Rags, who just grinned smugly, arms folded over his chest. “But we’re really just trying to get back home. To the world we came from.”

The deity nodded. “I’m well aware. There are many that have fallen into this plane who seek solace or escape. And yet… There are very few whose actions are so brazen that they attract a being like the Jester.” He stood upright. “He projected to me glimpses of your conflict,” he waved his hand and conjured up images of the battle between the two deities. “Your power is unique," he looked down to Rags. "It’s something few in any reality can match. Remarkably similar to that of his own abilities to peek in at other planes of existence. A multiversal vagrant, capable of transcending the flow of space and time.” He squinted, looking somewhat annoyed. "Similar, as well, to his penchant for causing disruptions to timelines rather than keeping order.,” he huffed. “And yet… Despite your overblown swagger, you are acting almost entirely upon your desires to bring this one to safety.” He leaned over and brought a clawed finger down to poke gently at your chest. At a close proximity, his hand appeared to be made of pitch black stone or crystal. "Almost entirely," he reiterated, narrowing his gaze at the Nightmare, standing upright again. "You're fortunate that the Jester spared you. Had I encountered you first, I would've had no choice but to send you into the Void." He folded his arms across his chest, glaring down sternly at him. "Your manner of mischief and greed has been alarming to many that have observed you."

A frown briefly crossed Ragaeli’s face. He slowly walked up to the deity, hands in his pockets. He sighed. "Listen..." His brow furrowed more. He looked completely serious. "I know I've been causing an uproar. It's just how I operate. Can't help it. I'm made of laughter, excitement, chaos; I just wanna have a good time, and I always want my partners to feel the same.” The deity listened closely. “Of course I’ve been fighting, throwing punches, challenging authority. How can I not do that when the whole fuckin’ dimension has their fingers pointed at me??” he shook his head. “I get it… Maybe I did get carried away. I didn’t mean to make anyone here feel truly afraid of me.”

You gawked at him, a little dumbfounded. He never humbled himself like this. "But if I’m the one getting thrown in jail, I don't see any fuckin' reason for them to be serving the sentence with me!" Rags gestured to you. “Hm… Indeed…” The deity's expression and posture softened. He put a hand to his chin. “I can’t say that I disagree. But even I, as the Dark Sovereign, can only do so much when it comes to the matters of higher-level Interlopers. Our dimension acts as a collective, a neural-network, seeking out potential threats to the fabric of our reality. The Order is responsible for overseeing the potential threats that have been detected.” Rags scoffed. “Yeah, so I’ve been told.” “It is for that reason your Wanderer companion has been targeted just as much as yourself. And… I deeply apologize.” He cast his gaze down for a moment, before peering back down to you. “However, I may be able to provide a few answers that you seek, in order to help your companion complete their quest.” Your eyes lit up. “Really?! So you can help us to Level 3999?” “Ah, you do know of the True End.” He conjured up a very large tome of sorts, flipping to certain pages, projecting dozens of them into the air. “There are a multitude of different paths one may take in order to clip through the correct Levels. It is not in my authority to reveal to you all of those paths… But perhaps I can inform you of a couple that would be more viable options.” Rags pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ughh, we don’t have TIME for that!! I’ve only got like, three hours left at most before–”

“Before you are taken from this reality.”

You didn’t like his stern change in tone; the finality of that statement. The Nightmare huffed, looking away. “Yeah, exactly. And respawning back in my world before they escape isn’t gonna do them any favors.” “Indeed…” The Sovereign kept his gaze on the Nightmare, staying silent for a moment, before bowing his head a little. “Well then… There is someone who could lead you directly to the True End. If you win his favor." He held out a hand, conjuring the image of a man in his palm.

The man in the trenchcoat.

"The Keymaster holds the keys to every Level in our world,” the Sovereign explained. “But he does not give them up easily. Wanderers who show him utmost respect, and those who show great courage and tenacity, are more likely to win his favor.” He flicked his hand, making the image disappear. "I've seen him!" You commented. "Several times now!"

“Have you?" The deity tilted his head. "Intriguing... Well, that could be to your advantage. Or to your detriment. It is rare that he takes enough interest in a Wanderer to follow their progress. Though, if he's seen the frivolity your friend here has displayed, he may be less willing to concede." He folded his arms behind his back, gaze shifting back to Rags. "But... You've shown me you are capable of humility. And selflessness. Surely he will be able to see it as well.” "Leather trenchcoat, tall boots, teal eyes, black hair, key ring, cravat. Voltaire-lookin fucker," Rags loudly listed off his features. "So, that's it, then?" he folded his arms. "Get this guy to cough up the key and get my buddy outta here?" "More or less."

The Nightmare nodded, bowing his head. "Thank you..." Slowly, his lips spread into a wide smile. A low, devious chuckle welled up in his chest. "Hmhmhehehe... Thank you SO much!!" He flashed that signature ear-to-ear smile up at the deity, his body starting to glow brighter and crackle with energy, summoning up his megaphone again. He then glanced up and around. "YOU HEAR THAT, EVERYONE??" His voice boomed into the darkness, then snapped his fingers. One by one, the many portal windows he'd opened up began revealing themselves, moving forward out of the cover of darkness. "This place makes for a good cover-up!! Like infinite blackout curtains!" Sure enough, the windows were all opened up to onlooking humans, outposts, and other wanderers, who were paying close attention like watching a news report. One of which was looking onto the group of survivors you’d met in the bunker. Ramon, Laurence, Venali, Fern, Cian. No sign of Jay… Hopefully she was just out on a reconnaissance mission. But all of them gasped and waved to you and whispered among themselves. "I hope you took in EVERY word!!” Rags continued to shout. “Look for the Keymaster, ask about Level 3999, don't stop pestering him about it till you get some answers!! Show 'em ALL that you're not gonna take SHIT from them anymore!" He gave a dramatic snap of his fingers to make the portals and megaphone vanish again, bursting into giddy maniacal laughter, completely pleased with himself.

The Sovereign's eyes were wide as saucers. If he had a mouth, his jaw probably would have dropped. Yours certainly had.

Rags flashed him a shitty grin and gave an exaggerated shrug. "Hey, this is all in your words, not mine! You gave them the answers, so I'm not breaking any rules!! Thanks to ol’ Jingles, I know how the technicalities work~" He took a step closer to the Sovereign. "I just can't believe how easily you fell for it!!" He put on an exaggerated sad face, clapping his hands together in a pleading gesture. "I'm sooo sorry, Officer, I know I did something wrong, I won't do it agaiinn!" He mock-whined, before bursting into cackles again. "Yohohou didn't even notice me opening the portals or calling out to them!!" He pointed mockingly at the deity, still whooping and laughing. You found yourself laughing right along with him. He was definitely back to the shitty chaotic gremlin you know and love.

"You… absolute mongrel!" The Sovereign snarled, taking a couple steps closer to Ragaeli to glare down at him, making the ground beneath you rumble. You gasped and stopped laughing, worried that you had both angered him.

But then... He burst into booming, hearty laughter, holding a hand to his stomach. "I will admit, that was well-played. You truly are as clever as you are powerful.” He placed a hand on his hip. "How long were you planning a move like that?"

Rags shrugged, winding down from his giggle-fit. "Hehehe~ Ever since we made some buddies in this world, I've kept my eye and ears open for a chance to help ‘em out! I'm not gonna just let the blind lead the blind if I have the chance to give ‘em some torches to find their way outta their caves! It’s always fun to stir up a little rebellion~" The Sovereign chuckled, holding his hand to his head, still in disbelief. “I suppose I should’ve seen something like this coming, after that first announcement you sent screaming throughout the world...” You walked up closer to the deity. "You're uhh, not going to get in trouble or anything, are you?" He shook his head. "I've not disclosed any information about Levels that can deliver the means to unfathomable power into the wrong hands. Although, it may be even more difficult to win the Keymaster over after a stunt like that..." "Good," Rags gave a cocky smirk. "I like a challenge~ And I think it's about time he quit stalking us around like a vulture waiting to pick off its prey!"

The deity chuckled. "Hmhm, indeed... Well, I know where you should go next, in order to locate him faster." He waved his hand, conjuring up a vision of a small log cabin set in the middle of a foggy, dense forest. "Traverse the forest outside of this cabin, and find the Greenhouse. There will be a doorway with a golden frame that takes you to the Hub. The Keymaster resides at the end of the tunnel. But you must be careful," he added sternly. "Do not choose the wrong door, or you're likely to be thrown into a random Level and will have to start your quest anew." "Man, this really is some DnD shit," Rags muttered to you, making you snicker a little.

"However." The Sovereign waved the image away, folding his arms behind his back. "Don't think I'm going to let you leave without consequences for your trickery." You pouted. "Aw come on, I thought we were cool!"

The Sovereign snapped his fingers. The darkness itself crept in closer, engulfing around your wrists and ankles, lifting you high into the air, almost meeting the deity at eye level. You gulped, starting to feel butterflies. The deity seemed kind enough, so perhaps the 'consequences' wouldn't be so bad...

The same happened to Ragaeli: the Nightmare was hoisted into the air, limbs engulfed in shadow. He exclaimed in surprise, but otherwise didn't make a move. "You sure that's a smart idea?" His smug grin remained on his face, and his body gave off bright sparks. "Calm yourself. I'm not going to harm you. I'm simply... curious." He held out a hand, and to both of your surprise, a few sparks of Rags' magic jumped into his palm, as if he'd pulled it in with a magnet. He observed it closely, watching it dance between his fingertips. "This magic of yours is... Simple, yet surprisingly versatile. No capability to cause harm or pain, but still enough to overwhelm the most stubborn foes into submission. And, from what I saw, it can be turned against you…” He flicked the ball of sparks over at Rags, making it burst against his exposed midriff.

The Nightmare yelped loudly and bucked. “YYEE-HEHEH!!” He glared playfully and lit up with more sparks, willing them to shoot out and strike the Sovereign. But.. Nothing happened. No yelp or laughter, not even a flinch. The sparks lit up the deity in a dazzling display, reflecting off of his armor and his body to reveal that he was, indeed, composed entirely of obsidian rock and metal. Rags’ cocky smirk immediately dropped into a pout. “Oh c’mon, how is that fair??” Despite the lack of a mouth, the deity showed a playful smile in his eyes. “Hmhm; apologies~” He snapped his fingers. Once again, similar to what the Jester had done, the Nightmare’s magic was pulled out of his glowing hair tips, sparking and pulsating. “Hey,” Rags growled. “I need that!!” His tendrils whipped out and tried to retaliate. But, again, the magic was redirected by the Sovereign, jumping up into his armpits and trailing down his sides. “AIEEE-HEHEHEHE!!” His squealing laughter rang out and he tugged at the shadowy restraints. The deity continued to eye him over with curiosity. “You appear to re-absorb your own magic, correct? But I assume you cannot feed on your own laughter in order to build your reserves.” “L-Luhuhucky guess!!” Rags retorted, attempting to teleport himself out of the shadows. But he was pulled right back into place. “RRRGH–!”

The Sovereign chuckled; a deep, rumbling chuckle that seemed to have a devious edge. “I’ve a feeling this is going to be quite fun…~” He continued to turn Rags’ magic against himself. The shadows siphoned out plasma-like arcs of magic from his hair and aura, causing it to burst and spark against his exposed midriff, sides and armpits. He was shrieking and cackling within seconds from the feeling. “YEEE-HEHEHEHEH AGHH-HAHAHAHA!!” He thrashed and bucked - noticeably arching into his ticklish magic, but tried unsuccessfully to teleport away again. When he gave off more sparks to try to zap the deity with, the shadowy magic just stopped its path and ricocheted it back into his body, causing him to be attacked with twice the amount of tickly zaps. “GYEEE-HEEEHEHEHEHE!!” You stared at the Nightmare, watching him laugh and flail, his hair and tail writhing behind him. This was a cute sight, and made you all the more antsy, knowing you were very likely getting targeted next. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you~” The Sovereign cooed, as if sensing your thoughts. He reached out a finger to pat the top of your head. Soon, the shadows started to creep in more and go to work, making a shaky smile rise to your face. “Nnh- H-Hey now…” They tugged at the edge of your shirt and pulled your shoes off, giving your belly delicate, experimental strokes. You gasped and tried to stifle giggles, shivering from the feeling. But they were persistent, and eventually started fluttering so fast over your belly and under your armpits that you squealed in delight and burst into giggles and whines, shaking your head back and forth. “NNnooOO-HEHEHEHE!!” It felt firmer than a feather, but softer than fingers, giving off a slight vibrating sensation that just made you giggle more.

“I think I’m beginning to understand why this particular weakness is one you choose to exploit with your various encounters,” he explained to Rags nonchalantly while the Nightmare was howling with laughter. “You both seem to enjoy how the sensitivity of your own nervous systems can be turned against you, making your defenses completely crumble away… Laughing to your heart’s content~” You weren’t sure if he was intentionally trying to tease you or if it was just a result of his ‘experimenting’. But either way, it flustered the hell out of you. With another flick of his fingers, some of Rags’ magic jumped over to you. The intense ticklish sparks explored your belly, dipping into your navel, slithered down your hips and backs of your knees, zipping in circles around your feet. Your laughter increased in octave and you thrashed in the air even more. “A-AAHH-HEHEHE WHAT WAS THAHAHAT FOHOHOR?!” “I merely wished to see the effects of his magic on an organic being up close,” the Sovereign explained, though he couldn’t hide the sly edge in his tone. “You’re even wearing a token of his magic, correct?” he poked at your Laughing Hand talisman, which gave off warning sparks... that were quickly redirected against you, sending a ticklish pulse through your torso.

Soon, the shadows started to double their efforts on both of you. They snaked their way up and around Rags’ huge feet, soles, heels and ankles, slithering and sawing between his toes, releasing a shriek from him in response. They kneaded his ribs and sides, vibrated against his belly, slipped up into his pant legs to swirl around his knees. They caressed against his neck and ears, much to his disdain, causing him to whine and growl as he burst into hysterics. “NNNRRHHH-HEHEHE I’LL F-FUCKIHIHING GET YOU BAHAHACK FOR THIHIHISS!!” When his hair tendrils started extending and thrashing, the shadows discovered they could engulf the wild locks and turn them against their owner as well. Shapeshifting into clawing hands and frilly appendages, the tendrils were soon joining the arcs of magic in kneading, tickling, poking and prodding over the Nightmare’s thrashing body. And, likewise, the shadowy bonds tickled you affectionately, feeling like hundreds of soft appendages poking and stroking in unison against your most ticklish spots. They caressed under your chin and pressed up against your back. You felt as if you were being held in a soft embrace; they even started kneading your back and shoulders soothingly… As well as giving you a tickly foot massage. “MMmm-heheheheh!! P-Pleheheasee-hahaha!!” They prodded at your talisman to force it to release more ticklish sparks, which they sucked up and targeted at your sides and hips. You went from looking the huge deity in the eye, to glancing over to watch Rags flail in hysterics, to looking away entirely and squeezing your eyes shut. Although it tickled like hell, the deity was definitely being more gentle with you than with Rags. Because, eventually, the shadows and red sparks combined again to wreak total havoc on him. With a wave of the Sovereign's hand, the Nightmare was trapped in a ‘globe’ of shadows.. Which lit up like a red plasma ball when his flow of magic attempted to strike the inner barrier. Rags howled out and crumpled onto the ‘floor’ of the globe, shrieking, cackling, rolling and kicking, his hysterical laughter echoing out into the darkness. “How interesting…” The Sovereign cooed. “You were more than strong enough to hold your own against the Jester. You could break free of my hold if you truly wanted to.” “YEEE-HEEHEHEHEHE IS THIHIHIHIS!! THE B-BEHEHEHEST YOU GOHOHOT?!” Rags replied in defiance. Another devious chuckle. “Hmhmhm… Certainly not. But I will spare you the dilemma of opposing me at my full strength, as you need to hold onto that energy to complete your journey.” He glanced over to you. “But you would both be quite fun to play with for a while... This haven of mine can be a little too quiet for my liking sometimes~” The deity’s magic did not ease up for a good ten minutes. It continued gently fluttering, caressing and playfully stroking against every bare inch of ticklish skin it could find, staying pressed up against your body no matter how much you squirmed and tried to suck in your stomach. They slipped between your toes no matter how hard you clenched your toes. This, combined with Ragdoll’s magic being continuously siphoned through the shadows and zapping you both periodically, made your defenses completely crumble. You were soon gasping with delighted laughter and going limp in the shadowy prison, leaning into the ticklish caresses. Ragamuffin was beside himself with hysterics. The shadows were firmly set on staying locked onto his worst spots: His huge feet, his belly and underarms, his V-line and thighs. Nonstop fluttering tendrils of shadows and his own wild locks of hair, with a nonstop stream of his tickle-magic flowing directly into his soles and navel. He splayed out in the air and laughed away like a madman, tongue hanging out; it almost seemed like he was intentionally shooting off more sparks for the shadows to absorb and bombard him with.

Finally, the Dark Sovereign decided you’d both had enough. He snapped his fingers, and the shadows stopped their attack; any remaining red magic absorbed itself back into its owner. You could now freely glide around with the aid of the shadows hugging your limbs and midsection. You felt yourself buzzing with excitement and serotonin, starting to catch your breath, leaning into the gentle caresses of shadows, smiling wide up at the deity. You were buzzing with affection and excitement, genuinely happy that you got to have a tickle session with such a kind, surprisingly playful entity. Ragaeli, however, wasn’t about to let the Sovereign have his satisfaction without taking revenge. "Alright, big guy... You've had your fun, but now it's my turn!!" Rags smirked wide. His aura glowed brighter, his body lighting up with sparks; with a loud snarl, his body started to grow to its full height, forcing its way out of the shadowy prison, landing on the ground with a BOOM. He stomped forward, getting in the deity's face and grabbing his arms firmly to hold above his head. “I think it’s high time I show you why I’M the King of Tickle Monsters back in my world~!” For a brief moment, the Sovereign’s eyes and the white flames on his shoulders glowed brighter, startled by the Nightmare's aggressive display. But he just laughed. "You're quite bold, knowing your magic will not affect me."

Rags smirked mischievously. "We'll see about that~" Letting go of the deity's arms, they were restrained by red magic cuffs. “If my magic’ll work on metal, I betcha I can make it work on minerals, too. It’s just a matter of finding a crack in the armor… Literally~” His gaze locked on the white flames billowing from beneath his pauldrons. He slowly strolled behind the deity, cracking his knuckles, bringing his pointer and middle fingers up to meet the edges of his armor. “This fire’s gotta be venting from somewhere, right~?” “Wait– What are you–” The Sovereign was quickly cut off by massive sparks of Ragaeli’s magic flooding into his shoulders. The huge deity howled and boomed out with startled laughter, his widened eyes, gem and flames flaring up brightly, clamping his hands up around his upper chest. “AAHH-HAHAHA OHH HEHEHEAVEHEHENS!!” He nearly staggered forward. The magic could faintly be seen lighting up the inside of his stone body. Extremely pleased with himself, Rags lifted his two sparking fingers to his lips and blew at them, like he was blowing smoke off of a gun barrel. “Gotcha~” The deity’s eyes were as wide as they could get. “That… is what tickling feels like??” he gawked over at you. “That is what I just made both of you endure??” Rags snorted, coming back around to the front. “Aww c’monn, it wasn’t that bad, was it?” “Well– No, it wasn’t bad, it was just… Strange. Almost exhilarating, in a way...” “Yeah? Well in that case, lemme give you more~” Rags grinned evilly and shot off finger-guns again, directing two bolts of magic right into the vents in his shoulders again. And again, the Sovereign bellowed with laughter, throwing his head back, his flames flaring up and his onyx body trembling. “AAGHHH-HAHAHAHA!!” Rags folded his arms. “Man, I can’t imagine what it’s like bein’ tickled from the inside out. Must be Hell~ but again, you said it wasn’t bad, sooo maybe you’d like it if I kept going~” He clapped his hands together, forming a cat’s-cradle arc of tickly magic that emanated with the echoes of laughter. The Sovereign eyed him over nervously, and yet… “I…I’ve never experienced such sensations before… And I’ve no idea when I will experience this again, so by all means; show me firsthand how much control you have over that magic of yours.” “How much control, huh?” Rags chuckled. “Normally this magic ain’t meant to be controlled. It does what it wants, it hunts out the absolute worst spots that can get someone screaming and laughing nonstop~ But mayybeee…” He concentrated the mini-lightning, letting them flow into the Sovereign’s body again. Instead of overtaking his entire body in a ticklish maelstrom, Rags focused his hands like he was trying to steer a kite string. The Sovereign started to gasp and tug, moving different parts of his body as they were each targeted. Rags wiggled his fingers as he guided them over the deity’s armpits, sides, armored belly, legs, feet. “How’s this feel, big guy? Do you feel just how tiiickliiish you really are~? D’you like feelin that unbearable buzz that makes you just wanna laugh and laugh and laugh~?” The ‘poor’ deity gasped, yelped, growled and stomped. “NNNrrRRRH-HEHEHEH!!” A smile could be seen in his eyes again, his flames billowing intensely. You watched with a smile. Each and every time Rags managed to get his comeuppance on a Backrooms entity, it was completely rewarding for everyone involved. Like he said; without the emotional connections, without his playmate’s willingness to give into their base impulses and let themselves enjoy the attention, then the laughter wouldn’t matter. This was his true strength. “E-ENOHOHOUGH!!” The Sovereign eventually cried out. Rags immediately eased up, letting his magic dissipate. When he was released from Rags’ magic binds, the Sovereign fell to his knees, making the ground rumble below him. “Hhhhhahh… That now makes... two of the Order that you’ve bested, heh…” He righted himself, clearing his throat. “I think it’s time you move on now, before our commotion can be heard clear across other Levels.” Rags snickered impishly to himself and nodded, poofing back down to his regular height. You glided down to rejoin him on the ground. “I wonder, though; is there anything else you’d like to ask me before you leave?”

You thought for a moment, before you knew exactly what you wanted to ask; a thought that had been on your mind since your journey began. You just never really found the time or place for it. “Yes actually… What exactly are the Backrooms? Is it all a simulation? Is it just, a planet with super crazy laws of physics?” The Sovereign looked you over thoughtfully. "Heh… The 'Backrooms.' What a strange alias. Though I suppose I've no room to speak. The true name of our world has long since been lost to the flow of time." He conjured up a globe, similar to the one that Ragaeli had summoned when you first got stuck here: A planet covered in closed-off cubes of data, glitching and shimmering. "This world seems to have direct ties to your own world, Earth. It is an amalgamate of everything that mortal minds and souls are capable of. Emotions, hopes, dreams, joy, sorrow, fears, regrets, compassion, cruelty… Memories and nostalgia of familiar places, people, animals, architecture. Collected as data, compartmentalized for study by the Order… And, perhaps, by beings of higher power that even we cannot fathom. They appear as "rooms," or "simulations" to you Wanderers, because it is the dimension's attempts at keeping things organized. It is not much different than the neurons of a sentient brain categorizing data. Or the cell of a multi-celled organism creating and replicating DNA.” The image of the globe shifted through imagery of various cellular processes. “Just as your kind has yet to understand why or how we exist… We, too, have yet to understand how mortal beings slip through the cracks, and manage to survive in a world that is not meant to be lived in by trespassers." He glanced back at you. "I find it… Quite inspiring, in a way."

He looked out thoughtfully into the distance. “Of course, there are many who take advantage of this… glitch in the system.” His brow furrowed. “Ever since wanderers started taking roost in our world, the Order has developed Levels as a means to steer them away from sources of great power, or lead them to locations where they could potentially live out the rest of their lives peacefully. But… the taste of fear and anguish is intoxicating for lowly blights that desire only to prey off of weaker beings. Fear has, unfortunately, become one of the most prevalent emotions infesting our reality. And those with great strength enjoy exploiting it… Experimenting with it. Intentionally trapping Wanderers in Levels they could not hope to survive with their body or mind intact." Rags scoffed. “Tch… it really is like my world, then.” “And yet,” the deity’s expression softened again, “I have hope that Wanderers much like yourselves, who refuse to become consumed by fear, who seek knowledge and guidance rather than control or destruction, will someday turn the tides again, and restore balance.” He looked over to Ragaeli. “That little trick of yours may be the event that tips the scale. Even if you are forgotten.” “Pshh– As if anyone could forget me!!” Rags quickly responded, putting his hands on his hips. “But in any case, glad to have a little more insight on this world. Now can we get going now??” He was tapping his foot impatiently. The Sovereign chuckled in amusement. “Yes, yes, of course.” He gave a wave of his hand, and the portal to the forest opened up, right in front of the door to the log cabin. “But one more thing,” he spoke up firmly. "It is imperative that you two do not become separated. The ‘King of Tickle Monsters’ here may be able to open portals to wherever he sees fit, but… I suspect the powers that be will try even harder to tear you two away from one another.” You rolled your eyes and sighed. “Yeahh, somehow that doesn’t surprise me…” “It may be safer if you were to discard this…” He poked at your talisman. “Its magic is a direct connection to him." “I mean… I can’t get rid of it even if I wanted to, unless Rags himself destroys it." You yanked off the chain and tossed it out into the air, and it poofed right back over to you before it hit the ground, re-attaching its cord around your neck. “But it’s also acting as protection for me in case I come across anyone hostile.” “So either they ditch the charm and risk getting fucked over, or they keep it and risk getting fucked over. Cool, great options,” Rags threw up his arms. “I see…” The Sovereign scratched his chin. “Well then, I stand by what I said. Stay together, no matter what.” He plucked at their air between both of you, revealing the red magic cord. “This tether will be your lifeline. Now more than ever.”

You nodded firmly.

Rags scooped you up into his arms bridal-style again. “Well thanks again for the insight, Rocky~! I guess you Order-of-the-Killjoys aren’t all bad. Doesn’t mean I’m ever gonna stop trying to get under their skin, though~” He winked. “And I suppose complete and utter madmen with the power to bend realities aren’t all bad, either,” the corners of the Sovereign’s eyes creased in a playful smile. He gave a bow to you both as you headed into the portal.

You started to feel the smallest inkling that something was… Wrong. All this talk of being forgotten… Was Rags really going to be okay? You had to believe he was going to be. You were both so close now. You’d both avoided dangers, sparked a potential uprising, earned the respect of two powerful deities. Everything looked to be in your favor. You were confident that you and Ragaeli could get through this together and escape the Backrooms once and for all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Footnotes: Vaporwave Mansion: https://backrooms.fandom.com/wiki/Level_514

The Dark Sovereign: https://backrooms.fandom.com/wiki/The_Dark_Sovereign

I definitely knew I wanted a mellow chapter after the building intensity of Ch 6 thru 8, and I figured a Level that is literally designed to forcefully calm peoples’ minds would be a good chance to show a side to Ragman that people don’t really get to see. He’s a total softie deep down but of course he’ll never admit it :3c

We’re approaching endgame now, everyone. Or are we?

#backrooms #fic #tk fic #tickle fic #macro #size difference #tickling #fluff #cuddles #monster #monster boy #tickle monster #unreality mention #tw: unreality

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