A Promessa

Il Ritorno a Casa

Alessio visits his hometown

—*—

He'd been to Loo Loo Land when Moxxie was a child, but he didn't have fond memories of the theme park, with its overpriced merchandise and run-down attractions. Sadly, Pietro often wanted to visit the park after hearing other kids at school talking about it. The last time they went there, Giulia was six months old, and Pietro had somehow talked his father into buying a 300-souls fluffy toy Fizzy after watching Robo Fizz's show. On the other hand, Giulia was understandably traumatized by the robot and has cried ever since whenever she saw anything related to Fizzarolli.

This time, Alessio was determined to take the children somewhere else—a place he had fond memories of. When they learned of his plan, Cecilia and GaGarret asked if they could join in, bringing little Arianna along. Jawns was reluctant to go; as it turns out, he'd gone to Toothfin Cove a few times to deal with some debtors. He correctly guessed that the townsfolk wouldn't be happy to see him again, even though he just wanted to bring his daughter to a carnival. However, he didn't want to miss Arianna's first carnival and decided to wear a disguise.

They gathered at Alessio's place on their next free weekend and headed out. Pietro was visibly excited until they passed by Loo Loo Land and took a turn out of Notamafia Town.

"Where are we going, Papa?" he inquired, puzzled.

"We're going to a different place this time, figlio. One that's quite special for our family."

"Has your father told you about our hometown?" Cecilia inquired from the copilot seat. Pietro shook his head. "It's far smaller than Notamafia Town, but it's got a nice carnival."

"What's a carnival?"

"It's kinda like Loo Loo Land, but smaller, no big rides, and it's only open for a limited time of the year," GaGarret explained.

"Sounds boring."

"Hey, don't judge it before you see it."

Toothfin Cove was a small fishing town about half an hour from Notamafia, with a nearby chop shop factory owned by the Knolastname Family. It was a small but tightly-knit community consisting mostly of sharks and a few other species, such as Imps and aquatic demons. And every year, the town held a small carnival that lasted two weeks. It wasn't as big or impressive as Loo Loo Land, but it was certainly safer and more... genuine in wanting attendants to have a good time.

In the parking lot, they had to wait a bit for Jawns to put on his disguise: a mustache, a trenchcoat, and a pair of sunglasses..

"That is your brilliant disguise?" Alessio asked skeptically. 

"Well, it's worked before."

Unfortunately for Jawns, Arianna didn't recognize him with the mustache and sunglasses on and cried when he got close to her; much to his dismay and Alessio's amusement, so Cecilia had to carry her in the carrier. 

Alessio felt a pang of nostalgia as they entered the carnival grounds. Cecilia was on the same page as him. They were pups the last time they came, when Pop and Garet were still alive. As they moved through the food and game areas, the siblings saw old and new faces: childhood acquaintances, neighbors, and even old teachers. 

"Aren't there any roller coasters?" Pietro inquired after taking a look around the booths.

"No, but there are other rides that you might enjoy. Look, there's even a petting zoo!"

"Does it have a dragon?"

Alessio bit back an exasperated sigh. "Why don't you go take a look, filgio?"