"You don't need that Puppeteer" [OFF]

"A new emotion"

The Batter was actually keeping a good pace next to Zacharie this time as the two lightly jogged out the mall. It felt weird seeing natural light since time felt so so long in there.
He should stop complaining it was probably only about fifteen minutes.

They turned several sharp corners, it had been a while since he had noticed but he was still holding Zacharies hand, not that he minded that at all.

They reached a clearing, Zacharie made a sudden stop to face a Pedalo sprawled out across the liquid. Several Elsen cowering in the area looked at the two in confusion as if some great monsters had just strolled by. They weren't monsters, they were just taller.
"Ah, good to see it worked," Zacharie let out a reluctant sigh, "I thought that old switch would be faulty by now." He climbed onto the back of the Pedalo with it making some odd creaking noise in protest before settling down again. "Hop on, friend. I'm sure it can handle us both. It's just a bit of plastic." The Batter looked puzzlingly at it knowing it hadn't been there before. It must have been that switch. He was reluctant but he awkwardly positioned himself on the Pedalo and within seconds they were on the other side.
"Easy."

They were on an island.
On the island was a set of stairs.
Down the set of stairs there was a tunnel.
Down the tunnel was a happy tune, or as happy as you could get in this world.
A theme park? That's what Zacharie had lead him to? He would've thought it would be more practical for his mission but... ok.

"Ah... a theme park? Why a theme park?"
"It's a relaxation exercise."
"Wh..."
"My dear Batter, you're clearly tense. Maybe cranky. Perhaps angry and over emotional. Maybe all three. This is a relaxation exercise, perhaps it'll ultimately help you, haha."
"... okay."
"Come on, let me show you around."

They ran past an empty queue, Batter stopping to read the signs. The signs weren't important, just saying how long the wait in the queue would be. This queue took them into another building, well decorated with a sign labelled "PARK" posted in front of it. It seemed more bold than such places as the library.

There was a relatively large room inside, linking up to three more areas. A few Elsen shakily stood, watching them as Zacharie grinned.
"Lovely, isn't it?"
"Sure."
Zacharie started to make his leave into a passage to the right of them, Batter trailing behind him.
A little stream, another Pedalo.

"This one's a little tricky. There should be a switch somewhere in that stream, haha." Zacharie hopped onto the back of the Pedalo. He seemed to know what he was doing.
"So, Batter. I'd like you to stay here a while. I'll do it on my own, don't worry much!"
"Wait-"
"Hm?"
"Ah- ah- uh- You'll be coming back won't you?"
"Of course, don't worry."

Zacharie really didn't need to do all the work for him, he swore he could do it himself but Zacharie was already gone. He was a hard man to argue with really, he had a way with words Batter could not understand.

A minute went by. It felt like ages. The track can't be that long, right?
Two minutes went by. It felt like ages. The Batter was starting to get worried Zacharie had left him.
Three minutes. Still nothing. At this point Batter was very tempted to dive in and look for the other. However, that would be a stupid idea and he is not stupid. Oh, he also didn't want to drown. That too.
Being alone. He hated it now.
Five minutes. Long time. You understand the patten, right?
The Batter had started gnawing at his fingernails a bit without realising it. His teeth were sharp, leaving particularly bad tears in them. They stung after a while.

There was a noise. His head darted towards upwards, seeing Zacharie on the Pedalo. He took his fingers out his mouth, it almost looked like he was about to bite them off. Zacharie hopped off, not noticing the slightly distressed Batter.
"Haha. It's all done! Hopefully I didn't keep you waiting too long, amigo." He chuckled, scratching the back of his head a little, "You know, I also drowned to flip that switch. A harsh puzzle, that one."
"..."
"Ahah... hah. I'm okay, yes." Batter probably wasn't completely okay but he was relieved.
"Well, lets get going again."