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Wanderer had never been to a carnival before. There was nothing he wanted to do less than walk around a poorly set up pile of tents and indulge in mediocre entertainment. The games were clearly rigged, half the rides should be violating some sort of safety code, and the Big Top was way too loud to be of any interest.
He only agreed to come because he didn’t want the Dendro Archon wandering around this sketchy-looking place on her own—plus, Kazuha seemed interested in checking it out.
Needless to say, he was a bit grumpy about being dragged across the park on Nahida’s whims. He wanted to just leave Kazuha and Nahida alone together, but both of them insisted on his presence.
“Slow down!” Wanderer squawked, nearly tripping on his own feet as the tiny archon held his hand tight and pulled him along.
“We have to hurry! I don’t want to lose him,” Nahida insisted, pace not relenting for even a second.
Him? Wanderer wondered. “Who the hell are you taking me t–”
Wanderer stopped in his tracks. Across the path, a hideously colorful clown stood under a tree handing out balloons to children. Kazuha quickly caught up behind Wanderer, trying and failing to mask his amusement.
“Absolutely not.” Wanderer turned around, only for Kazuha to wrap his arms around him. Wanderer squirmed in Kazuha’s embrace. “Did you know about this?!”
“No,” Kazuha admitted, “but I think it would be fun to watch his performance. Look.”
Reluctantly, Wanderer glanced at the clown out of the corner of his eye. It wasn’t just normal balloons this thing was handing out, it was making balloon animals.
Ugh. No wonder Nahida was so interested.
“Why do I have to be here for this?” Wanderer grumbled. He started to lean into Kazuha’s firm grip.
Nahida fidgeted with her hands. “When you left me alone in the petting zoo, it took me over an hour to find you again. This is… a unique experience for me. I’d be happier if you were here with me. Both of you.”
Something in Wanderer’s chest fluttered at the implication that Nahida wanted both of them. He always knew Kazuha would get along with her, at least on a surface level, but she’d practically absorbed him into their little “family” at this point. He never expected the two most important people in his life would form such a strong bond.
Wanderer groaned and slipped out of Kazuha’s arms, choosing instead to hold his sweaty hand. Gross. He immediately withdrew and wiped the sweat off on Kazuha’s clothes.
“Besides, you are the only one here with money,” Kazuha pointed out, unfazed by Wanderer’s actions.
“I’m not handing my mora off to that thing.”
“Are you afraid of clowns?” Kazuha covered his mouth with his hand, as if that could hide his laughter.
“Hell no!” Wanderer exclaimed. “I’m not afraid, I just think they’re stupid.”
“It takes a lot of training and effort to become a certified clown, from what I’ve read,” Nahida lectured. “Clown college doesn’t sound very prestigious, but clowns have a strict code they must follow.”
Wanderer crossed his arms. “That’s ridiculous. Anyone could do that balloon stuff. I’m not paying some painted freak to fold a balloon when we can do that at home.”
“Why don’t you give it a go?” a fourth voice chimed in, followed by a rubbery honk!
Wanderer screamed and stumbled back from the clown standing behind Nahida. The clown chuckled and honked its nose again, earning a laugh from Nahida.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to pop in so suddenly,” the clown said, “I just happened to overhear. I have plenty of extra balloons; go ahead, make your own balloon animal!”
Wanderer paled. “Oh, that’s– I don’t…”
The clown held out a pack of balloons, awaiting Wanderer to accept its challenge.
“You said you could make one at home, didn’t you?” Kazuha hummed and rubbed a soothing hand over Wanderer’s back. “He’s giving you a chance to prove it… at no cost, I assume?”
The clown nodded. “Free of charge! I consider the price to be for my services.”
Three pairs of eyes stared at Wanderer, wearing down his resolve with each second he debated. What would wound his pride more, admitting he can’t do it, refusing to indulge, or accepting the fool’s challenge?
Kazuha smirked, as if expecting Wanderer to admit defeat. That asshole was enjoying Wanderer squirm like this.
Fuck it, like hell am I letting him win! Wanderer shot Kazuha a glare and snatched the pack of balloons. How hard could this be?
“What animal?” he demanded.
The clown grinned. Wanderer felt like its prey, the way the damn thing leaned over Nahida and asked, “what would the little miss like?”
“Me?” Nahida pursed her lips and tapped her chin. “Hmm… how about a Rishboland Tiger?”
“Wonderful!! An easy start!”
Easy? Wanderer stared at the empty balloons in his hands. What the hell was a balloon tiger supposed to look like?
Luckily, filling the balloons was easy enough. Just a bit of anemo energy, accidentally pop a few, and he got the hang of it! Soon enough, Wanderer had filled nearly the entire bag.
The clown shook its head and whispered something to Kazuha, which made him snicker.
“Oh shut up!” Wanderer cried out. His hands were so full of balloons, he could hardly make room to fold them. He ended up having to set some on a nearby bench and hope they wouldn’t be blown away.
Now, the actual process of twisting balloons into an animal… Wanderer had no fucking idea what he was doing. Some of the balloons were too full to even be twisted, and the ones he could twist into each other ended up looking more like a shape you’d see on a desert puzzle.
He finally gave up when he managed to create something that vaguely looked like… some sort of animal. Some sad, misshapen pretzel of an animal. Definitely not a tiger.
Wanderer tossed the pitiful creature to Nahida, who caught it with a devilish smile.
“Oh, you’re done?” She asked.
“Yes. Obviously.”
“What about the rest of these balloons?” Kazuha raised a brow. “Are you going to make a family for the tiger with your leftovers?”
“No, those are… the tiger’s habitat. Grass.” Wanderer pulled his hat over his face.
“Grass,” Kazuha repeated. “Just grass.”
“And trees.”
“Those are trees?”
“If you think you’re so smart, then you do it!” Wanderer shoved a few extra balloons into Kazuha’s arms.
“Do you want me to?” Kazuha laughed. His cheeks were red from the constant smiling, plus the summer heat. “I can give it a try, if that’s alright with you, Mr…?”
The clown removed its miniature hat and bowed. “Giggles. My name is Giggles the Clown. It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Go ahead, make as many balloon animals as you’d like! Heaven knows I don’t need all these.”
“Alright then. Thank you, Giggles.” Kazuha took the two balloons Wanderer gave him and poorly attempted to twist them together.
Giggles leaned into Wanderer’s ear and whispered, “he didn’t even ask for an animal.”
Wanderer snorted.
Kazuha’s attempt didn’t last even half as long as Wanderer’s before he gave up and asked Giggles for a pen.
“What the hell is that?” Wanderer asked, watching Kazuha draw two dots on the end of a single balloon.
Kazuha showed off his creation with a shy smile plastered on his face. “It’s an eel…”
“It’s lovely,” Nahida said.
“It’s hideous,” Wanderer corrected. “Giving a balloon eyes doesn’t make it an eel.”
“Yours didn’t even have eyes.” Kazuha shrugged.
“Hehehehoo!” the clown laughed. “Allow me to show you how it’s done.”
Before Wanderer’s eyes, Giggles took the remaining balloons and went to work. In only a few minutes, with swift and dexterous hands, he twisted the plastic into what was very clearly a Rishboland Tiger.
Nahida tossed Wanderer’s balloon creation back at him so she could take the better tiger. That little shit.
“Whatever.” Wanderer rolled his eyes and reached into his pocket. “How much do I owe you for that one?”
“Consider it on the house.” Giggles said, then turned his shoulder to the Big Top tent behind him. “Or rather… on the tent!”
“...I’m leaving.” Wanderer dropped his balloon creature on the ground, littering be damned, and turned on his heel. Kazuha swiftly caught the balloon and handed it back to Nahida.
“I think I’ll stay here!” Nahida called to Wanderer’s slowly disappearing figure.
“Call to us with your powers if you wander somewhere else, alright?” Kazuha requested across the path while desperately trying to keep up with Wanderer.
“I will,” she promised.
Wanderer scoffed and weaved through the growing crowd of carnival-goers. “So much for wanting our company, huh?”
Kazuha reached out and gripped Wanderer’s sleeve to keep from losing him. “I thought it was clear she just wanted you to see the clown.”
“Yeah, what if I had actually been afraid of it? Then what?”
“She knew you weren’t.” Kazuha was grinning from ear-to-ear. “What was it you said to the Traveler? ‘It’s not every day you see people questioning the God of Wisdom’s judgment.’ Surely you don’t think she’d intentionally harm you.”
“You’re just as bad as her. Gods, Alhaitham is never going to believe me about this.” Wanderer pulled Kazuha out of the large crowd. They were back in the minigames area, which Wanderer initially abandoned Nahida for.
Kazuha’s hand trailed down to hold Wanderer’s. He was still sweaty but since it was his bandaged hand this time, Wanderer let it slide.
“More likely, he’ll pretend not to believe you,” Kazuha said. “I’m sure he’s well-aware of Nahida’s mischievous side.”
Wanderer didn’t grace that with a response. Instead, he led Kazuha to a familiar carnival booth and plopped down on a stool.
“Back already, I see!” The carnie at the booth exclaimed. “Think you two can outwit me this time?”
“That’s the only way to win the big prizes up top, right?” Wanderer pointed to the large plushies hanging above them. “What a scam. Do groups of four just never get the chance to win anything good?”
“Groups of four can always let a member sit one out and face me later.” The carnie argued, bending over to reset the game’s targets. “The real prize will be the memories you keep. A treasure you can never lose.”
“I’ll treasure wiping that smile off your face.”
Kazuha shook his head and sat down on the stool next to Wanderer. “I don’t need the toy that badly, you know.”
“Yes you do.”
“We could just as easily find one at the Grand Bazaar.”
“Yeah, but it’s not special that way,” Wanderer muttered, “and I need to beat this stupid game.”
Kazuha sighed fondly and picked up the plastic water gun. “I’ll play with you this time, is that okay?”
“So I can pay to beat both of you? Sure, if you insist.”
The water gun shooting was tense, drawn-out, and much like the balloons, far more difficult than it looked. Wanderer’s focus was solely on his own target. He watched breathlessly as the little flag raised higher and higher with each second the water hit the target. He was ahead. The carnie’s flag was an inch lower. Wanderer was about to beat him–
Ding!
“What?!” Wanderer exclaimed, stunned as the water stopped pouring from the guns.
Kazuha leaned against the booth with a cheeky grin. “Oh, was that mine? I didn’t even notice.”
“Looks like we have a winner!” The carnie announced. “For beating me at my own game, you may pick any of the prizes you see at this booth, big or small.”
Kazuha pat Wanderer’s hand, then craned his neck to get a look at the bigger prizes. “I suppose I should be asking you which one you want, hm?”
Wanderer clicked his tongue. “I don’t want anything. I was doing this for you.”
“But I worked so hard to win this for you,” Kazuha pouted.
“You just said you didn’t notice winning!”
Kazuha said nothing else, only stared at Wanderer with that innocent puppy face.
“Ugh, I don’t know.” Wanderer groaned, looking over the massive plushies hanging from the booth. The fox plush Kazuha wanted stared at him with evil little eyes, mocking him.
“Wasn’t there a blue aranara here?” Wanderer asked. “Get that one, I guess.”
Naturally, the carnie picked out the stupidest looking one. Its eyes were attached way too far apart, and the stuffing inside was nothing more than cheap foam. Most notably, it was absolutely massive. It was going to be a nightmare to carry around all day.
“It looked smaller from up on the shelf,” Wanderer murmured.
Kazuha laughed. “It really did. I was expecting something we could hold under our shoulders. That one is nearly the size of your hat.”
Wanderer looked around the game booths for another one that had the stuffie Kazuha wanted. None of them had the exact color except for…
“There!” Wanderer shoved the aranara in Kazuha’s arms and stomped over to another booth.
Kazuha followed Wanderer to a small, open stand with a single carnie standing in the shade. Next to her, a big sign read: Guess Your Age!
“Wanderer… are you sure about this?” He pursed his lips, but Wanderer kept going until he was standing in front of the sign.
“Look, it’s the only other game with the stupid fox you want.” Wanderer shrugged. “It’s not like I have anything to hide.”
“I wouldn’t mind a different colored fox, I promise–”
“It’s fine. This game is fine. Watch.” Wanderer pulled out a pouch of mora and weighed it in his hand. “How much to play?”
The carnie eyed him with a smile. “Only five mora, sir!”
“Right—” Wanderer clutched his pouch tightly “—and how do you know people aren’t lying?”
“It’s quite simple. That is… if you have a form of ID on you. If not, I’ll have you write your age on a slip of paper.” She gestured to a table behind her. On top of it rested a pile of small paper slips and a bucket of pens. “You’ll write your age, fold it in half, then hand it to me. You’ll be able to see that I won’t peek, and the paper ensures you had a specific age in mind before my guess.”
“I’m sure you won’t mind if my friend ensures your cooperation?” Wanderer asked.
“Of course not.” The carnie winked at Kazuha. “I’ll even close my eyes while you write, if that makes you more comfortable.”
Kazuha cleared his throat. “I also have a question. You have a variety of prizes on display,” he noted, gesturing to the shelf of big, small, and medium plushies. “How is the type of ‘win’ determined in this game?”
“Good question! When it comes to my guesses, two years off will get you a small prize, five years off will get you a medium prize, and if I somehow estimate more than seven years, you’ll earn one of the big prizes.”
“That doesn’t seem very fair to children,” Wanderer muttered with a cynical laugh. He trudged over to the pile of paper, handing the woman her mora on the way. The carnie idly tossed the mora up in her palm and caught it. She made a show of facing Kazuha and closing her eyes, while Wanderer scribbled on the paper behind her.
Kazuha watched intently, but the woman didn’t make any attempts to peek or cheat. Soon enough, Wanderer was shoving a triple-folded paper into her hands.
“Here. Guess.”
The carnie smiled and opened her eyes. She held the paper halfway above her head and kept her eyes off it, even though it was already folded.
“How do you make your guesses?” Kazuha asked. “Are you allowed to ask him questions to deduce an answer?”
“I could, but I usually don’t once the game has started. Most of my guesses are based on what I see of carnival-goers before they even approach me. For example, I watched you two bicker by the water gun booth not too long ago. I couldn’t hear what you said, over all this commotion, but you seem to be a young couple… am I right?”
Kazuha’s cheeks flushed. Wanderer nudged his arm. “Don’t answer that.” He scowled at the carnie. “Make your guess already.”
“Right, right. I also saw you discussing whether or not to try this game. I hope you aren’t an adeptus or something– then I’d never get it right.” She sighed. “But we aren’t in Liyue, so I think a safe bet would be… 22! Final answer.”
Wanderer burst into laughter, while Kazuha stood there in stunned silence. That wasn’t Wanderer’s age, that was his age. If Wanderer really had been human, she probably would have gotten a correct answer.
“So close, yet so far,” Wanderer managed to say between giggles. “Go ahead and open that paper.”
While the carnie struggled to unfold Wanderer’s paper, Kazuha took the opportunity to lean close and peck Wanderer on the cheek.
“Looks like you win,” Kazuha murmured, cheekily forcing the giant aranara plushie into Wanderer’s arms. “I believe this is yours.”
“Yeah, yeah. Fine, I’ll keep it.” Wanderer rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the game.
BOOOOOOONG!!!
Kazuha winced and slapped his hands over his ears. Out of nowhere, a barrage of sounds pierced his senses. It grew louder and closer with every second. Kazuha’s eyes darted around the carnival, searching for the source of his pain.
There!
Marching across the lot was a long parade, complete with musicians, juggling clowns, animals on leads, and a wide array of other colorful displays.
“Who thought this was a good idea?” Wanderer’s amused voice bubbled through the static, but Kazuha could hardly hear him over the cacophony of honking clowns and cheerful, agonizing melodies. Kazuha shut his eyes tight, hoping to lessen the simulation he could control, but it did little good. It was too loud- too loud! Each blare of a trumpet sent his brain spiraling out of control. He couldn’t breathe. He wanted to cry. Was he crying? It was hard to feel much of anything aside from pain.
“...Kazuha?”
Wanderer.
Wanderer was next to him, crouched down just outside of his personal space. Since when was Kazuha crouched on the ground? He couldn’t even remember moving, but it felt so much safer like this. Less vulnerable than standing upright. Reluctantly, Kazuha pried his teary eyes open and bit his trembling lip. Through the haze of tears, Wanderer’s concerned expression painted a sense of guilt within Kazuha.
“Too loud,” he croaked.
“I know, I know.” Wanderer soothed. He began to say something else, but Kazuha couldn’t process anything other than the loud trumpet blaring from the parade. Wanderer sighed. He stood up and held his hand out.
Kazuha hesitated. He didn’t want to move—that would mean letting go of his ears and leaving the safety of his curled-up form—but Wanderer has proven to know what he's doing in moments like these. Kazuha knew he could trust him to have a solution… and he needed out now.
So, he reached out and allowed Wanderer to pull him up.
Wanderer looped the aranara plushie under one arm and held Kazuha’s hand loosely with his other hand. Kazuha returned the gesture with a squeeze that would be painful to anyone else, but Wanderer only nodded and led Kazuha away from the commotion. With only one hand over his ears, the noise was worse than ever. Thankfully, Wanderer brought him as far away from the parade as they could, near some rickety looking Fontainian teacup rides. It wasn’t exactly quiet, considering the screeching children getting twirled about, but it was better than before.
Kazuha clamped both hands back into position and mouthed, “sorry.”
“It’s fine. Not your fault they didn’t give any warning for that shitshow. Good thing we didn’t check out the circus act, I guess.”
Kazuha shrugged. He was still trembling– and probably looked utterly miserable. He forced a smile on his face, which Wanderer ignored.
Wanderer looked back and forth around the carnival. He cursed to himself. “Is there no quiet area in this whole damn circus?”
Kazuha released his death-grip on Wanderer’s hand and picked up a paper map someone left behind. The corners were sticky; Kazuha accidentally ripped a piece that got stuck to the bench. Gross.
“For nations with ‘advanced technology,’ these places really should have better accessibility.” Wanderer muttered, peeking over his shoulder. Kazuha pointed to a spot on the map.
“That’s where we met the clown.”
Kazuha nodded.
“Why?”
Wanderer didn’t understand. Clowns were part of the reason they had this problem, but Kazuha seemed so serious. Whatever was going on in his head, he was confident about it. With a sigh, Wanderer relented and pried the dirty map out of his hands.
“You’re lucky it’s not very far. Wanna lead the way this time?”
A fond smile crossed Kazuha’s lips– a real one this time. Wanderer couldn’t help but smile back as Kazuha grabbed his hand and dragged him across the carnival. Kazuha was still wincing every now and then from various sounds. His hands kept a slight tremor, despite the affectionate grasp he had on Wanderer.
Thankfully, the stupid clown was standing exactly where it was before, twisting balloons and handing them out while chatting with Nahida (did she have nothing better to do?).
“Okay, now what?” Wanderer asked before Kazuha could approach. “You know this isn’t any quieter.”
Kazuha opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again and frowned. Still nonverbal. That’s fine. Wanderer slipped his hand free so Kazuha could gesture properly. Kazuha looked around, sighed, then pointed at the clown.
“What, you want me to ask it for help?”
Kazuha nodded.
“I don’t see what some clown can do about this, but fine.”
Giggles spotted them instantly. He let out a—well, a giggle— and waved to them with his free hand. Nahida broke into a grin and skipped over to meet them halfway.
“You’re back!” She exclaimed before latching onto Wanderer’s leg. Wanderer pat her head. Now wasn’t the time to squabble at her about hugs.
“Welcome back, my friends!” Giggles greeted, eyeing the giant aranara plush. “Someone hit the jackpot, I see.”
“Uh, yeah. That’s not why we’re here though.” Wanderer glanced back at Kazuha, who nodded for him to keep going. Meanwhile, Nahida released Wanderer’s leg and held her hands up against her eyes, peering at Kazuha.
That damn clown stared at Wanderer, waiting for him to go on. Fuck . Wanderer didn’t even know what to ask. “It’s… uh, there was a parade going by earlier…”
“Ah, yes! The 6 o’clock parade! Last one of the day. A fan favorite, really....”
Wanderer almost couldn’t believe that was true, but humans were so easily entertained. Before Wanderer could retort, Nahida gasped. Kazuha nodded solemnly, as if they were having a silent conversation…
Oh. Duh. Nahida could read minds.
“I see…” Nahida thought for a moment before addressing Giggles. “Are there any quiet areas in the carnival? Kazuha is a bit overstimulated and needs a break. He thought he saw something behind those bushes earlier.”
“You’ve got a keen eye,” Giggles said. “You’re right, we have a trailer hidden around here. I wouldn’t do this for just anyone, but I’m sure the others wouldn’t mind a few guests.”
“Others…?” Wanderer grimaced.
Giggles did not elaborate. He simply slipped the pack of balloons into his pockets and began bounding towards the bushes. “Follow me!”
The clown led their little group through the shrubbery, revealing a decently-sized brailer hidden amongst some trees. Giggles knocked on the trailer door.
“This is where we get ready and take our breaks. Ahem, one moment.” He popped his head through the door and promptly conversed with whoever was inside. Then, Giggles gestured for Wanderer and the others to follow him inside.
Wanderer thought this seemed like a great way to get murdered. Still, he insisted on walking in first, followed by Kazuha and then Nahida. The inside of the trailer was filled with mirrors, boxes, clowns and carnies with various levels of makeup applied, some even without their wigs– it was a bit horrifying, to be honest. At least three elemental-powered minifans sat around to keep the occupants cool.
As soon as he walked in, Kazuha let out a sigh of relief. He shuffled around, unsure of where to stand in this quiet-yet-cramped space.
“You can sit on the couch, honey. No-one’s using it right now,” said a woman in clown makeup and a wig cap. “We’re cooling off from the parade and most of the others are busy at the Big Top, so you aren’t taking up too much space.”
Kazuha offered a brief bow of thanks and settled down on the couch. Nahida sat next to him, admiring the cluttered environment.
Wanderer, however, stood firmly by the door. He clutched the dumb aranara plushie tightly.
“You look like you’re ready to bolt,” an uncostumed carnie teased. Wanderer shrugged, watching the half-dressed clown woman hand Kazuha a cup of water.
“No point in getting comfy here,” Wanderer said. “I’m not the one who needed this.”
“Maybe not… but you’re still welcome.”
Wanderer pulled his hat over his face. “Isn’t this a bit too intimate for random guests?”
“He may seem silly, but Giggles is a good judge of character.” The carnie shrugged. “We keep pitching to the higher-ups that the medical tent should have a trailer, too, but they keep claiming we don’t have the budget.”
“Sounds about right.” Wanderer chuckled bitterly.
Kazuha tilted his head at Wanderer and pat the seat next to him. Ugh, he was making that puppy face again. Wanderer couldn’t say no to that. He reluctantly sat down next to Kazuha, who offered some of his water.
“I don’t need that,” Wanderer said.
Kazuha blinked at him for a moment, then shrugged and drank the rest of it instead. Wanderer rested the giant aranara on his lap and leaned back, sighing. The clowns and other carnies were minding their own business now, chatting quietly amongst each other on the other side of the trailer. Kazuha chuckled and played with the plushie’s stiff, cheaply made hand.
Wanderer stared at the aranara. A realization struck him, causing a groan to escape his lips.
“Are you okay?” Nahida asked.
“Yeah, I’m just–” he sighed. “We were at a booth before the parade came. I should’ve snatched that damn prize and ran.”
Kazuha gingerly took the aranara into his own hands and held it above his face. He began moving the thing’s arms around like a puppeteer. The aranara shook its stubby limbs and pat Wanderer’s arm, as if to console him.
Wanderer huffed at the gesture and held back a smile. “I know you don’t mind. It’s not like it was your fault.” He stared up at the ceiling. “Do you think she’d recognize me if we came back later?”
Kazuha made the aranara nod.
“What were you going to win?” Nahida tilted her head.
“Just a dumb fox plush Kazuha was eyeing,” Wanderer said. “It’s no big deal if we can’t get it; Kazuha doesn't seem to care. I just feel bad, I guess. He went through all that and didn’t even get his prize.”
Kazuha made the aranara shrug.
“You two stick out pretty well in a crowd.” Nahida giggled. “I’m sure the game operator will recognize you and understand the situation. What game did you win?”
“It was…” Wanderer paused. His guilty eyes trailed over to Kazuha, who was smiling mischievously. “Don’t you start. I told you it would be fine and it was. It’s not like she would have kicked me out for being immortal.”
“Did you make someone guess your age?!” Nahida’s jaw dropped. She reached over Kazuha’s lap and shook his leg. “That poor game operator never would’ve been able to guess! You cheeky, cheeky little puppet!”
Wanderer’s cheeks flushed as laughter bubbled up within him. He pulled his hat over his face again to hide his face, which was surely as red as a pyro slime.
The clowns allowed their little group to remain in the trailer as long as they liked, which for Kazuha meant an hour or so. Around sunset, Giggles approached them again and asked if they needed anything before he went back to work.
“This place closes soon, doesn’t it?” Wanderer peered out the trainer’s tiny window. “We can get out of your hair.”
“Some of the attractions do close at sunset, but we have some special night events up until midnight,” Giggles explained.
“If all of us got what we needed from here, I see no reason to stay. Did you have fun?” Wanderer asked Kazuha.
Kazuha smiled. He made the aranara plushie nod and give Wanderer a big hug– or, as big as it could manage.
Beside them, Giggle removed his miniature hat and scratched his bald cap in thought. He gasped suddenly, then snapped his gloved fingers. “You know what? I could probably get you boys on the ferris wheel if that interests you.”
“Another ride?” Wanderer squirmed in the aranara plushie’s embrace.
“The view is incredible,” the clown woman pointed out. “You can see the whole carnival from up there, and the lights that come on after dark are just beautiful. I took my girlfriend up there a couple weeks ago.”
Wanderer scoffed. “You know we both have Anemo Visions? Heights aren’t all that special. We could fly up there anytime we want. Right, Kazu–”
A persistent tapping against Wanderer’s arm cut him off. Kazuha had stars in his eyes while puppeting the aranara to smack his arm repeatedly.
Wanderer flicked the plushie. “You actually want to go?”
Kazuha nodded, making the aranara nod with him.
“...fine.” Wanderer huffed. “When do the lights come on, or whatever?”
Giggled mimed checking a watch on his bare wrist. “Hmm… younger guests start to leave around now, and couples always swarm the ferris wheel after dark. We can stick around here a bit longer to avoid the exit crowd, then get you on the wheel the second night falls.”
It was a solid plan. As much as the idea sounded boring to Wanderer, he felt he owed it to give Kazuha one last pleasant experience tonight. Just as promised, Giggles led them away from the exit crowd as soon as the sun fully set. With such a small line, Kazuha and Wanderer were soon faced with their own hellish rickety cart.
Nahida stood outside, making the aranara plush she was babysitting wave goodbye. Kazuha waved back from his seat in the ride, then nudged Wanderer to wave as well.
The wheel rose their cart up steadily, allowing a few more groups behind them to board the ride. Wanderer leaned back against the cart. What’s so exciting about this? It’s just a giant wheel that spins in circles.
Looking over, Kazuha had his eyes closed, a serene expression on his face as the wheel slowly rolled them higher. Eventually, guests stopped boarding, and the ferris wheel began rotating in a regular, slow manner. From up this high, Wanderer had to admit it was a decent view. He never would’ve chosen to fly up here at a place like this– not that he’d ever prefer riding a detachable traveling death machine, but it was… an interesting experience, sure.
Next to Wanderer, Kazuha finally opened his eyes and looked out, just in time for a set of rainbow lights to flicker on from the game area. He appeared calm, but Wanderer knew that expression of his all-too well. Kazuha was ecstatic to be experiencing such a mundane, yet charming event.
As soon as their cart reached the very top of the wheel, the side stopped. Their cart swayed from side to side, causing Wanderer to instinctively grip the edge.
“Is this supposed to happen…?” Wanderer muttered.
Kazuha nodded. He slipped his hand over Wanderer’s palm and squeezed.
Cute…
“As long as you’re happy,” Wanderer scoffed. He never thought he’d enjoy this carnival so much. Seeing Kazuha so delighted after their rollercoaster of a day– it was worth the expensive tickets. Kazuha looked ethereal like this, leaning out and gazing at the carnival. The flashy lights illuminated his face like an angel.
He must’ve noticed Wanderer staring, because Kazuha tilted his head with a mischievous smirk.
“Stop being cute.”
Kazuha chuckled and shook his head, then pointed at Wanderer.
“Are you saying I’m cute?”
He nodded.
“I guess we’re both guilty, then.” Wanderer rolled his eyes fondly. “I’m… ugh, I’m still sorry about what happened earlier. I probably would’ve noticed the parade coming if I wasn’t so focused on getting that prize.”
Kazuha cupped Wanderer’s face in both his hands, squishing his cheeks. Wanderer squirmed, so Kazuha let go of one side and put a finger to Wanderer’s lips.
“What, I’m not allowed to feel bad you ended up with no prize and a meltdown?” he whined.
Kazuha shook his head teasingly. The ferris wheel shifted and began moving again. Kazuha turned his attention back to the view as they descended.
“I know that look on your face. You’re making up some poem in your head, aren’t you?”
Kazuha grinned, pretending not to hear. Their cart made it back to the button. Instead of stopping like Wanderer expected, it kept going, looping them back up. Nahida gave them both another wave from her spot on the ground.
”Being here with me is the only gift you need. Is that what you’re thinking?” Wanderer watched Kazuha glance at him briefly, then look away. So I’m right…
“Whatever, maybe we can ask Giggles to make you a balloon animal when we get down.” Wanderer said. “If nothing else, I can fly back to the game before she closes. I won’t even make you walk with m–”
Suddenly, Wanderer’s lips were occupied with the taste of Kazuha’s affection. Kazuha held his head still, combing his indigo hair with his fingers. Wanderer lost himself in the moment, not even realizing the ride was over until Kazuha stopped to breathe.
Staying true to the atmosphere, Kazuha slipped his hand in Wanderer’s palm and led him out of the cart like a damn puppy. And Wanderer let him. Kazuha didn’t even need to say anything, Wanderer knew exactly what was on his mind– and there was nothing he wanted more than to indulge.
Shitty carnival or not, Wanderer believed he could call this day a success. Hell, if moments like this were possible, he might even be willing to visit one again one day.