Twisted Wonderland 2

One Of a Kind

In Ace's group, the boys discuss where to go first.

"So, you guys are cool with hitting up the roller coasters first, right?" Ace asks.

Lilia nods. "I was hoping to get a ride on a suitably thrilling one myself."

"Huge same!" Cater agrees. "Your top pick was Whale Escape, right? It looks like that's the biggest rollercoaster in the park. We definitely gotta make sure to ride the main attraction!"

Trey adjusts his glasses with a shrug. "I'll go wherever you guys wanna go. They all look like a blast."

Ace points to a part on the map. "Looks like the coasters are at the edge of the park, according to the map. We're in Gentle Plaza right now, at the center... Boy, that's a walk."

Ernesto walks over with Gino beside him. "Are you young scholars about to make your way to the roller coasters perchance? If you are, I'd suggest taking a carriage ride."

"A carriage?" Ace questions.

"Oh, yes!" Ernesto grins. "There should be one coming back to the plaza soon... Ah, here it is now."

A carriage pulled by two, small donkeys rolls to a stop by the boys. It's made of dark wood with the doors painted red and the windows blue.

Ernesto stands in front of the boys, waving his staff towards the carriage. "This carriage is the most convenient means of transportation within the park proper."

"Whoa." Ace marvels. "There's no engine or anything, it's drawn by real, live horses!"

Trey looks to the donkeys. "Are horses this small? I feel like the ones in the school stable are taller."

"Yeah, the ones at school are definitely bigger." Cater adds, getting closer to the animals to take pictures of them. "But these are some cute little guys!"

"This is a replica of a carriage that the Friendly Fox helped the Wooden Puppet ride." Ernesto informs.

Lilia nods. "Ah, then those aren't horses at all. Draft animals, that is, animals intended to pull wagons, vary across different times and places."

"That's right!" The fox twirls his staff in his hand. "We try to recreate Wish Upon a Star as faithfully as we can here. Including the part where the Wooden Puppet shared a carriage ride to the park with a merry band. Oh, how excited he must have been! I'm sure all of you will experience that same anticipation as you make your way to Whale Escape."

Ace grins. "Sounds good to me, not to mention convenient. Let's hop aboard!"

Ernesto opens the door and checks inside. "Ah, it seems you're its only passengers. Would you mind if we joined you? I could show you more of Playful Land's sights on the ride over."

Cater shoots a finger gun at him. "Go for it! Welcome aboard."

The group climbs into the carriage and once everyone is settled, the donkeys trot at a leisurely pace into the park. The carriage travels through the main street of the park and passes by all the shops. Other people walk around, all chatting and having a merry time.

"There's a lot of visitors for a weekday." Lilia observes. "Playful Land seems lively indeed."

Ernesto laughs. "It certainly is. And we have everyone from Sage Island and the surrounding areas to thank! They say the Wooden Puppet's hometown was a bustling place filled with children's voices. So of course we'd like this park to be the same way."

Ace looks out the window. "I see food and merch stands everywhere, not to mention stalls handing out balloons. It's fun just looking at it all. Ooh, guys, check out that cart there! It's got a puppet running it, like the gate at the entrance. That puppet's movements are practically human!"