The Truffula Gardeners

Chpt 10. The Fair

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And the sun was setting. The crowds were bustling. The lights were flashing. The sounds were booming. Almost unbearably so.
This is where the fun begins.
I became increasingly tense the further I stepped in. I clutch the stack of papers in my bag again, finally returning my attention to the Once ler. He looked away, seemingly nervous, as if he had been caught doing something.
"Well, uh...here it is! In all it's glory."
He gestured broadly at our surroundings.
It was plenty, for sure. Many children ran around excitedly between stands while their parents chased briskly after them. Guys winning stuffed toys for their girlfriends...uneaten remnants of food sprawled out in several places, and standee attendants that look like they'd rather be anywhere else. So far seems to be like the stuff I read in books.
"This feels like a fever dream..."
I say, passing through
"I think that's kinda the idea."
"Is there an order to doing things around here?"
"I mean...there can be."
Pondering, we paused our walk as Once ler began to pace himself around me.
"We'll have to do rides first. Then we can cool off with some activities...settle down for a snack, and then..."
I followed his eyes as they find that big metal wheel, supposedly referred to as a "ferris wheel" specifically.
"And right at the end, I thought maybe we could...catch a ride on the ferris wheel." He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. Not sure what it was about him and that ride, but he seemed off-put by the idea of it.
"Really? That one?"
He started to become flustered.
"Ah- well-...it's? We...don't have to go if you're not up for it, haha"
"No, it's just..."
I took a quick look around at the rest of the chaos, and when my focus returned the difference of tranquility was night and day.
"Its not really as 'thrilling' as all the other rides are, is it? What's the appeal?"
Blush still lightly plastered on his face, he took a deep breath. "It's...hard to explain but just trust me on that one. Here! Let's pick out your first ride-"
Semi-quickly, he guides me down the narrow path and leaves me to choose between a variety of rides. I ended up choosing for something they called the "power claw" a claw shaped machine that would lift you in the air and spin you in circles. What a ride it was.

After it was done I had felt like I had just been tossed in a salad bowl. "Im pretty sure all my organs are in the wrong place now"
Once ler laughed as he tried to reassure me.
"You get used to it." He said, playfully nudging me in the rib.
"Oof, careful. I think that's where my kidney went."
His laughter made for such a sweet sound. Especially one so genuine and almost guttural. I mean it's odd, considering I've heard it plenty of times by now but it's just something about the atmosphere. Almost as if it puts him in a spotlight. Or, more debatably, puts me in a trance. This was ridiculous. I came for a brand new experience and all I can think about is the guy I came with? I have to get myself out there. That's what he would want anyway right? But right before I'm able to look for someone to approach, he pulls me on my way to the next ride. Oh well. Fun is fun, and fun it was!
We took ride after ride, and right by the end I had finally somewhat gotten used to them. I suppose it helped that I always had a shoulder to lean on as I screamed in terror, but I conquered my fear nonetheless!
"Hey, that wasn't too bad! Word of advice though, probably shouldn't throw shoes at passerby's while you're 60ft in the air. Ride attendants tend not to take too kindly to that"
"You don't understand, that kid cut in front of me in the line to the tilt-a twist, he totally had it coming."
"Hey, you don't have to convince me! Just saying you're lucky they thought it was an accident."
As he was talking, he must've noticed my attention drawn to one of the stuffed animals hanging from an activity stand. It was an innocent plus figure of a fox sporting little blue socks. It had been my favorite animal since I was a kid.