Chapter Text
"I have lots of knowledge in this field, of course, there are so many things I'd like to scope from a business perspective-" Azul's blasé words were light on the air as he and Riddle walked through the theme park entrance.
Azul's face immediately brightened at the blatant consumerism that lined the park entrance. "Look at the merchandise!"
Two of Nightraven College's strictest students had decided it might be a good idea to go to a theme park… it would be fair to question what possessed them because common sense had obviously taken a backseat.
The pair had promised not to bring up dormitory business, to not be "students" at the academy…this was a date, after all.
Yes, a date. This hapless pair made a joint decision to try and be a functioning couple in one of the most dysfunctional places imaginable.
As both boys genuinely enjoyed school…. Banning ‘school topics’ left Azul struggling to find relatable things to talk about. He had learnt a lot about the human world, but he didn't want to expose any gaps in knowledge. Yet the idea of talking to Riddle about his home or past…felt out of place, in Azul's own view, there was nothing worth sharing.
“Look at the merchandise?” Riddle raised an eyebrow dubiously. "I am."
Azul was immediately endeared to the mascot and friendly staff. Riddle, however, appeared bemused, looking around at the forced cheerfulness with disdain. He very stiffly waved at the staff who greeted him, but was disinterested in engaging meaningfully.
Riddle suspected that Azul didn't really know a lot about theme parks aside from research he'd seen online. Places like this downplayed the risks and negative side effects of rollercoasters and aggressive rides in a bid to fool people…just like Azul. Riddle wasn't taken in by any of the marketing and regarded the ticket office suspiciously. "I wouldn't put you down as a thrill seeker-"
Azul winced for a moment…he had researched online, but he’s only seen ‘real’ fairgrounds from a distance…often set up on piers in the area surrounding his homeland, if he dared to go to the surface, the humans would often display incredible firework shows, which he regarded with envious eyes. He had looked at official sources rather than ‘reviewer’ content.
He hadn’t assumed that the main activity was seeking…thrills? In reality, Azul had no desire to be thrown around a guided track at high speeds.
"Oh no, I have no appetite for the intimidating rides...but I'd like the gentle ones," Azul tried to deflect the conversation, but Riddle wasn't easily distracted.
"How gentle?" Riddle pressed with a knowing grin as he watched Azul scan his ticket at the entrance.
After a few moments of consideration, he admitted. "...Boringly so-" Azul replied with an accommodating smile. "Walking on legs is hard enough, but to then be catapulted around a small wooden circuit and then be asked to use said legs immediately afterwards…it's a bit much, don't you think?"
"As a human, I'd say not. But I can understand it is different for you." Riddle tried to suppress the urge to roll his eyes, but couldn't stop himself from smiling to himself wryly. "I take it that we'll do those kinds of rides first then? To spend the rest of the day engaging in tamer activities."
Wait? Riddle wanted to go on the scary rides? Oh no. Azul felt a lump form in his throat.
He nodded quickly and concealed his extreme disappointment. "We'll do the most taxing ones first, because once I've eaten I won't want…well…I mean-"
"Yes, I understand. You'll most likely vomit everywhere." Riddle had heard the first years talk about this park, saying only the big roller coasters were worth 'going on'. He didn't know if this was true, but today was the day he'd find out. He would leave Azul behind…if that was required.
"There's so much to do at a theme park! We won't be bored!" Azul added joyfully. "The owners want people to stay as long as possible, which usually results in greater profit! They deploy lots of different options to please the widest audience possible! I'm most impressed by the service offer!"
Riddle was surprised to hear Azul's genuine joy, particularly when it superficially seemed to be based on tacky merchandise. He didn't think Azul would approve, he'd regarded him as someone who appreciated quality and elegance.
This proved that Azul was a teenager after all. It felt Riddle strangely disconnected, should he be more excited than he was?
"Oh, I see." The red-haired boy looked around the decorated main street and noticed some small eateries and merchandising stores. "Is this all that's available? I don't eat junk food so-"
"Oh...no, there are other options…" Azul bit his lip for a moment with worry, he looked at the map in desperation without Riddle's knowledge. "As I said, these themed parks cater for many palettes, not to worry!"
There was one 'very expensive option' that wasn't junk food. Now it came to it, Azul couldn't believe that people his own age didn't like junk food. Still, if Riddle wanted something else, they'd eat something else, it was as simple as that. Even if it was a fine dining experience that catered to the super-wealthy.
"In fact…we're going to this restaurant on the pier! This one! Right here!" Azul pointed at it on the map.
"We are?" Riddle was pleasantly surprised. "...That's an established chain…I didn't know they had one of these located here..."
Azul nodded. "Yes…we're going there…not...one of these…fast food places…oh no..." Internally, Azul was deeply regretful, he craved the 'consumerist fast food' experience. He'd even planned his excuse to Jade and Floyd for when he returned to the dorm. It was elaborately planned. 'Oh, well, there was nowhere else, so naturally my only choice was a deluxe burger meal-'
He embraced that sweet dream one more time before dismissing it.
Riddle nodded agreeably. "I'm a little less apprehensive now, thank you very much indeed."
Azul waited for Riddle to turn away from him and then grimaced at the thought of what he'd just said. This was turning out to be a very expensive day.
The red-haired second-year examined a shop window with an equal amount of intrigue and caution. "...There are so many…strange kinds of gifts, who would want to own these headbands? When would you wear such a thing?"
Azul pointed at a couple of people wearing them with glee. "There you see? People wear these items whilst they visit. The products themselves don't have any other purpose, but-"
"That's most frivolous." Riddle narrowed his eyes, it was clear he had no interest. "They don't seem effective for keeping one's hair in place."
Riddle was even straighter laced than Azul had thought, but he didn't admonish him, that wasn't what Riddle needed, and so Azul accommodatingly agreed.
"Isn't it just? People will buy anything you know." Azul sighed dreamily, watching unsuspecting people fall prey to manipulative emotional marketing campaigns. "I admire any company who can dress up this manner of exploitation so beautifully!"
He dismissed his dream of buying a corporate souvenir quickly and focussed on Riddle.
Riddle appreciated these allowances but felt he was only being negative about the whole experience, whilst Azul focused on the positives. To make up for feeling like a ‘mood-killer’, he held Azul's hand tightly but blushed due to doing so and shook his head violently, sounding churlish. "Don't say things like that out loud. You sound like a deviant!"
Riddle pushed ahead and practically dragged Azul, such was his embarrassment at holding hands. This made Azul giggle, not because Riddle was uncomfortable, but because his reaction was so endearing, he wondered if he embarrassed him just a little bit more, would that ease the tension, or make it worse?
"Oh, you can't tell me what to do." Azul pecked Riddle on the forehead with a gentle kiss and grinned, raising a finger mischievously. "Riddle Rosehearts. Before you act irrationally, remember what we agreed…no magic, you set that rule yourself! So you'll have to accept my affection."
Riddle scowled, he did set that rule…"That…kiss…it wasn't called for! I didn't do anything endearing!" Riddle screeched, his face now peuce, people around the couple gasped at the miniature outburst. The assumption was that he and Azul had rowed, but it couldn't be further from the truth.
"It was a spontaneous reaction to your general presence. I find you naturally endearing! That's how this manner of thing…that is to say…dating…goes-" Azul grinned to himself, patting Riddle on the back and gently assuring him.
"Fine." Riddle stubbornly muttered, with large puffed-out cheeks.
"Splendid!" Azul grinned happily and walked with purpose, holding Riddle's hand. The bystanders now turned back around and went about their normal business, seeing Azul had defused the tension, Riddle tried to control his urge to laugh at Azul's skilful actions. Yet, he didn’t want to add to his ‘endearingness’ and maintained a serious persona. Little did he realise, Azul’s sense of affection for Riddle came from him being ‘himself’ not ‘someone who was agreeable’.
Azul noticed Riddle's face soften when they walked into the main plaza and saw a large fantasy castle that was built to scale. The now tasteful decorations, smells of baked goods and the flowers dotted around them took his breath away. Now Riddle had opened himself up to the idea of 'enjoying' their visit, he was astounded and devoid of cynicism (at least for now).
He examined the white and red roses with glee, beamingly broadly and looking at his phone, trying to understand the camera mechanism to get the perfect image. He had to buy a new phone recently and despite reading the instructions, hadn’t memorised all of its functions (he may have accidentally smashed his old one during a temper tantrum).
Azul didn't say anything related to Riddle’s struggle at first until he noticed a very frustrated pout. He finally made a casual suggestion. "Oh I believe your phone is slightly different than my own, I think it might be the middle icon you’re looking for. It isn't very intuitive, so I could be wrong."
Riddle pressed on it and was delighted as the phone entered the 'scenery mode', Azul for once, didn't gloat. He admired Riddle fondly as he tried to get the perfect shot. The red-haired dorm lead had had an eye for photography as his images were perfectly balanced and well-framed. He didn’t realise this until Azul pointed it out.
“What a wonderful picture!” Azul leant in. “You captured the beauty very well!”
Riddle felt his cheeks become pink with flattery. “Oh? I…I…thank you…I think… I can still improve.”
Riddle’s bashfulness when taking a compliment compared to his usual strict demeanour was of course, adorable in Azul’s eyes.
Riddle was satisfied after a few attempts and then asked suddenly. "Does one…upload this manner of thing at the beginning or end of a day? I know Cater does it constantly but I perceive that as being excessive."
Azul examined his own habits and considered his answer carefully, he would schedule his posts for the maximum impact and minimum effort, but replied. "I think you can do it as you please."
"...I have little desire to litter the image with hashtags and trends, those things are fleeting, the beauty of roses is eternal."
As ridiculously profound and dramatic as the statement was, Azul (whilst not agreeing) enjoyed the sentiment and answered. "Hmm, I see. I personally research the most popular tags, for the sake of exposure."
"I think we are complete opposites in that regard. I wouldn't mind if only I saw my own images, my exposure to a collective of anonymous people is of no concern. I record these moments for myself, or for the benefit of the dor…" He stopped himself from saying 'dorm' as it was a band topic. "Ahem… I enjoy the chronology of this particular application, it’s a nicely displayed collection of pictures."
Azul bragged. "If exposure leads to increased reputation, then I will wholeheartedly post, mention and hashtag away! You never know what it might lead to!"
"That is exactly what I would expect you to say," Riddle replied drolly.
"But to answer your question, you may find more things to post about. Perhaps one post now is fine, but later you could curate your posts and collage, Might I ask, what was your original motivation for having MagiCam?"
He didn't want to verbalise it was to help Cater study effectively. "It is a banned topic…" Riddle pondered, and then his features softened. "...but now I've realised I want to capture this memory, as simply as possible…it-" he paused and his mouth twisted a little. "It would be my first recreational post, that in and of itself may garner attention." He added finally.
Riddle was about to post his first image to his drafts and smiled for mere moments, before noticing a plaque nearby where they were standing.
Tag pictures with #tensofmillionsofmagicmoments
Was it a rule or guidance?
"It is all very stressful." Riddle sounded peeved, as he struggled to spell the tag without error on his device. "These liberal things confuse me. If it is a rule, I should do as it says. But if I do, it will disclose more than I care to, but if I don't then-"
Azul tried to ease Riddle's anxiety. "It's idiotically long and confusing if you ask me." Azul shook his head and bragged. "Tens of millions of moments? How many tens of millions? It would have to be a minimum of 20 million…and a 20 million tag KPI is ambitious for this calendar year given it is October. I wonder how many they have already achieved? Even if attendance peaked at 10000 visitors a day then, unless you are specifically aiming for Magicam maniacs, you could only hope for an average tag number of-”
“Azul, please can you return to your point, I don’t require your working out.” Riddle tried to suppress his grin.
“...In summary…such a campaign is doomed for disappointment...for longevity's sake, I would have omitted the tag too."
Riddle nodded and turned his phone off, validated, but bemused, was Azul being sincere…or just kind? "Oh…" He had never felt supported before, so whilst he reacted in a stilted way, he was appreciative.
Azul's heart melted as a charming facet of Riddle revealed itself. His enthusiasm for heart-shaped items. It was funny that a boy who knew so little about love, valued hearts so dearly. Azul resisted the urge to gush about it verbally, but he did feel compelled to indulge him.
There was a small heart-shaped balloon which caught Riddle's eye, his cheeks flushed a little. He clearly wanted it, but didn't want to seem childish, he fidgeted and became incensed when he saw people attempting to buy the one he wanted the most.
Azul sensed this suppressed desire and began to feel even more attached to Riddle's precious nature.
"It is customary to buy mementoes, even if the headbands aren’t agreeable, a balloon might be nice." Azul nudged Riddle subtly.
Riddle nodded. "If it's customary, I should obey the rules and buy one." He appreciated Azul legitimising his desire and immediately went on his way.
Azul called the restaurant phone number whilst Riddle was preoccupied, making the necessary arrangements. The manager on the end of the phone was exhausted as Azul called out discount after discount that should be applied before settling on a final figure for the set meal. Azul admired his own deviousness, the manager did not.
'This socially legal, but low-level loophole exploitation is even more satisfying than I thought! I understand Trey Clover’s interest in it now-'
Riddle returned with two balloons, the heart…and a silver shell. Azul was delighted as Riddle handed it over to him, his features softened as he looked up. "For me?"
"We should have one each. I think this suits you. It's… It's more fun if we try things together." Riddle replied matter of factly. Azul seemed stunned at the words, which made Riddle rebound on his sentiment. "Now, you were examining the map, where to first?"
The Octivinelle dorm leader was distracted as he bounced his balloon with a grin, it slowly floated up. There was an innocent and childlike pleasure in it, he then observed. "Helium…makes it float…it reminds me of being underwater. It has a comforting quality about it. I saw children with items like this at home. They'd play together…" Azul's grip tightened only slightly. "Oh…I apologise, it's a silly observation."
Riddle sensed Azul's unease and added, trying his best to sound supportive. "It's fine to try something like this...before one becomes too old."
"Maybe it isn't about being old. Maybe it is something...everyone should do…just once." Azul paused thoughtfully.
Riddle could tell that this wasn't Azul being silly, there was audible regret. "I forget sometimes…you're…not native to the land." he bounced his own balloon too, and it softly knocked Azul's to the side. "You've...never done this before have you, Azul? Do you feel…you’ve missed out?"
"I have…seen this kind of thing often and have completed rather thorough res-!" Azul reactively began to speak, rather than think.
It's alright…you can be transparent with me," Riddle smiled as Azul, who often tried to cover himself with a witty response to any comment.
Azul finally relented, shook his head with a small sad grin and spoke. "No. If I haven't been able to research in advance, then…I have little knowledge of what is the optimal thing to do on the land. That's why I prepare so much in advance, I want to enjoy everything efficiently, just in case my circumstances change…and I have to return to the sea."
Riddle paused, he had never thought about it that way, but it did make sense. The idea of Azul leaving was…unpalatable. "I…see."
"I know the way of things there. Don't misunderstand me! It's...better here, far better! But sometimes…"
"Home is home, even if certain elements are problematic. It's what you know-" Riddle then paused. "Mother would never have taken me somewhere like this…so...thank you, for letting me try something new."
Azul, moved by Riddle's sincerity put his arm around his waist and replied. "You're very welcome Riddle."
"BUT DON'T EXPLOIT WHAT YOU ASSUME IS NAIVITY EITHER!" Riddle smacked Azul's hand away, seemingly irritated at the advance. "I AM A MAN OF PROPRIETY! REMOVE YOUR HAND OR I WILL REMOVE YOUR ARM!"
Azul burst out laughing as Riddle unintentionally changed the mood so things didn't become too sentimental...it was only 9.45...and in Riddle's view, that was far too early for a genuine romantic encounter.
Riddle didn't believe there was a rule regarding the conduct of a first date, but his own intuition told him that 9.45 was too soon for anything deep and meaningful. Date progression must have some form of structure…though he couldn't be sure, it was never discussed at home.