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The aquarium! I have always been fond of marine life – sharks especially! - so I was truly in my element here. The fact that my dad organised this trip made me adore him even more than usual. On our last trip to the beach, I had been eager to swim with sea life then but it was unfortunately not to be. But, at least here, I could see various species up close, despite there being glass separating us.
I ran my fingers along aforementioned glass, secretly wishing that I could be on the other side of it.
“These creatures look delightful!” I could not help but exclaim excitedly, as I pointed to each and every one I saw as we strolled through the exhibit.
“What the hell is that?” Angel Dust asked as he glared at a certain sight floating before him.
“It is a jellyfish!” I responded cheerily. “They may look odd but their sting can be deadly!”
“Ooooh, I see. I like those then.” Angel answered with a wink.
“Trust you to feel that way.” Husk muttered but Angel paid him no mind.
“Look at those fish!” He pointed in the direction of the piranhas. He seemed to be drawn to the more dangerous creatures almost as though magnetism was involved.
“Don't you like any of the more harmless ones?” Husk asked, frowning slightly. “I mean, look at these!” He pointed to a school of clown fish that were speeding past us.
“Don't be dull, Husk.” Angel reprimanded. “Where is the fun of merely observing the cutesy creatures? I want danger! I want destruction!”
“Okay, tone it down just a teensy bit, will you?” I pleaded, noticing that we were gaining dirty looks from the other aquarium visitors.
“Fiiiiiiiiiiine.” He sighed theatrically. “If I must. But you are one to talk, you know. Being obsessed with sharks and all. I cannot wait to see you---”
“Angel.” Lucifer – father – spoke over him. “Shut up.”
“See me what?” I queried, confused by my dad's extreme reaction and curious as to what Angel had to say.
“Never mind.” Angel whispered, shrinking into himself as Lucifer's glare bore into him.
“I...er...okay then.” I shrugged, not wanting to rile anyone up, intentionally or otherwise. “Where are we going next?”
“Well, I happen to have a surprise for you at the end of this trip but let us fuel ourselves first, shall we?” Lucifer suggested.
“Good idea!” I said. “The cafe is this way.” I added, pointing to the sign that was hovering above us.
We all took a seat at the large, round table that was positioned in the corner of the cafe itself.
“What would you like to order?” I queried.
“How about some cod and chips?” Angel Dust cackled.
“We cannot consume fish of any kind here of all places!” I gasped, aghast.
“Don't worry, dear, I was just joking.” He replied, still smiling.
“Not funny.” I grumbled, although his remark had been somewhat amusing, I supposed.
“How about some ice cream?” Lucifer suggested. “All of the sugar will energise you which is vital since...” He trailed off all of a sudden, piquing my interest in the process.
“Since what?” I asked, rendered extremely curious by his cloak and dagger behaviour.
“You will find out soon enough.” He said, grinning as he did so. “But first, let's eat!”
And so we all ordered ice cream, each one of us having something different. Angel had strawberry, like myself; Vaggie had coconut; Lucifer and Alastor had chocolate; and Husk had vanilla. A choice which Angel could not help but tease him about.
“Spend more time with me and you will never settle for vanilla ever again.” He giggled.
Husk simply shook his head and made no verbal retort. There was truly no point.
Even in the cafe area, fish were on display so I repeatedly kept getting distracted, so much so that my ice cream was almost entirely melted by the time I actually focused my attention upon it.
But I did not mind. Curiosity was currently overriding all of my other emotions and even ice cream could not assuage it. I could not keep still, my whole body was vibrating with anticipation. I loved a good surprise, I had to confess! Especially when it was for me.
“Is everyone's appetite sated?” Lucifer asked, glancing around the table.
“Definitely!” We all chorused, my voice far louder than everyone else's.
“Then put this on, Charlie.” He ordered, brandishing a blindfold from his pocket.
“But...why?” I asked, puzzled.
“Just do it. Please.” He replied.
So I did, not wanting to disappoint him.
“Okay, now what?” I asked, nervousness creeping across my body.
“Take my hand and I will guide you. Trust me.” He added, a tinge of desperation in his tone.
“Always.” I answered, before doing as I was bidden.
And so he led me out of the cafe area, back into the sprawling hallways. Time seemed to slow as this occurred; my interest being well and truly piqued. Eventually, however, when I was on the verge of exploding from impatience, we reached our mysterious destination.
“Okay, you can remove it now.” Lucifer said.
I did not need telling twice, ripping it away from my face in an instant. And when all was revealed to me, I could not help but gasp. We were in the shark enclosure! Brilliant! And what made this even better was the fact that one of the staff was holding a wetsuit, one which appeared to be suspiciously my size.
“No way!” I exclaimed. “Does this mean—no, surely not! You cannot be serious!”
“But we are!” Lucifer responded, smirking straight at me. “I arranged for you to swim with the sharks since you did not get the opportunity to do so prior to this.”
“You are the best father ever!” I squeaked, charging towards the staff members and wriggling into the wet suit. “Can I?” I asked, staring eagerly at the water.
“Of course! Have fun!” He replied as I leaped into the water, shuddering with delight as I made contact with it. It was cold yet completely refreshing.
Almost instantly, the sharks were swirling around me; they appeared extremely impressive up close. I was beyond ecstatic! This was the greatest experience of my life – a surprise to top all other surprises! - and I would revel in every last second of it, tentatively reaching out my hand in order to touch their skin. Surprisingly, they seemed to be content with said contact so I continued, heart trilling in my chest. I had completely forgotten that I was surrounded by spectators, I just felt as though it was me and the sharks and no other. It felt...freeing. This was an experience that I would most certainly never forget!