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Ratio's eyes snapped open.
Examining his surroundings, he found himself standing in the middle of what looks like an amusement park. He remembers vaguely that he did make plans to go to the amusement park but unless this abnormal gap in time could be explained, it wouldn’t make sense for him to be here now. Judging by the lack of faces on the people walking around, he could only conclude that he is currently in a dream.
Instead of trying to wake up, he decided that it wouldn’t be too bad to stay and explore the dream further, especially since the amusement park doesn’t look to be too crowded at the moment. After a bit of walking, he decided to make his way towards a giant ferris wheel when he heard a voice sound out behind him.
“Mister!”
Ratio turned around, blinked and looked down just to see a little blond boy in a bluish-grey hoodie, seemingly around nine or ten, looking up at him with curiosity. Unlike the rest, this little boy actually has a face, his bright multi-coloured eyes with irises of magenta over cyan looking all too familiar.
Those eyes are an indication of the Avgin, who are few in number yet they are facing discrimination everywhere around the world. Other than one of his friends from work being an Avgin, Ratio also remembered reading in the newspaper as a child that… what was it again?
“Oh! Mister looks really handsome!” The little boy smiled widely before continuing “You’re the only one who responded to me in this place!”
“How long have you been in here?” Ratio didn’t mean to ask but it just came out of his mouth as if it were natural.
“For a while? I’ve gotten separated from Papa, Mama, and Big Sis, so I’ve been trying to look for them since…” The little boy slowly curled his left hand into a fist behind his back before continuing “Would you help me look for them, Handsome Mister?”
This dream is certainly heading towards some kind of direction, Ratio is somewhat curious on whether the boy’s family would have a face as well.
“Of course, where would you like to start?” Ratio asked, putting on a smile which he hoped wouldn't look strained.
“Hmm… I’ve been walking around for so long and there’s still no sign of them so perhaps they’ve gone on the rides instead?” The little boy suggested as he looked around.
If this were reality, Ratio was sure that the best option would have been informing one of the staff to do a lost child announcement but unfortunately, this was a dream. He had also walked past several staff members while exploring and there was a lack of face and response as well.
“Sure, which ride would you suggest we check on first?” Ratio asked.
“The train ride!” The little boy decided “It goes around the entire park right? Maybe I'll be able to find them like that!”
This boy is pretty smart, he has a bright future ahead of him, plus 10 points! Ratio smiled, “Let’s head there then, hm.” He wonders if the boy has a name.
“Kakavasha!” The little boy pointed at himself with a grin “That's my name!”
“I see, you can call m–” Ratio got cut off as he got dragged by Kakavasha towards the train ride that had just stopped at the platform near them.
“Let’s go before the train departs, Handsome Mister!”
Guess he’ll be ‘Handsome Mister’ for now.
The train is moving around the amusement park at a slow and steady pace, Kakavasha is seated in the cart next to Ratio as he looks around in search of his family. Ratio looks around as well, wondering if he’ll come across any people with faces. None for now however.
“I need to find them soon, they must be so worried…” Kakavasha mumbled.
“Do you remember how you’ve gotten separated from them?” Ratio asked, maybe he’ll be able to gather some clues from there.
At that, Kakavasha looked perplexed as he tried to remember “I… I don’t remember, I’m sorry, I understand that Handsome Mister is trying to help but…”
Ratio stayed silent in deep thought.
What if this is somehow a shared dream? If that’s the case, then Kakavasha would have to be someone who exists in the real world whose consciousness just somehow merged with Ratio. Or was it the other way round? The amusement park was not really a place that Ratio would go to after all, despite having gotten an invitation to one recently.
First, he’ll have to determine if he recognises the city that the amusement park is located in. The easiest way to do that would be taking a ride on the giant ferris wheel. Coincidentally, that was what he had intended to do before getting approached by Kakavasha.
“Are you mad at Kakavasha for being useless?”
A voice that sounded out cut through Ratio’s thoughts as he was brought back to the present. Right, he’s aware that he’s not the best when it comes to dealing with children but he should do all he could regardless.
Ratio patted Kakavasha on the head “No, of course not, you did the best you could in these circumstances” He managed another smile, hoping that it would calm the little boy down.
“Handsome Mister may have a face of stone, but he is such a nice person, I really am lucky as they say aren’t I…” Kakavasha muttered as he sat back on his seat, seemingly uninterested in looking around more.
Had the little boy realised something?
“Have you realised it as well?” Ratio asked, testing the waters.
Kakavasha nodded, clenching his fists “Yes… this place isn’t real” He looked away “You’ve known this all along…”
“I apologise for…”
Kakavasha shakes his head, then turns back to Ratio with a sad smile “Despite knowing, you still decided to help me anyway, Handsome Mister is really kind!”
Just then, the train stopped at the platform as they reached the end of the ride. Kakavasha got off the cart immediately, with Ratio following behind.
“Since we’ll be stuck here for a while, is there any ride that Handsome Mister is interested in?” Kakavasha asked as he continued to walk “I’ll accompany you this time”
“The ferris wheel” Ratio started.
Kakavasha turned around immediately with a smile before dragging Ratio towards the giant ferris wheel. “Let’s get going then, Handsome Mister!”
Ratio and Kakavasha are seated next to each other in a pod as the ride slowly but surely makes its way up. Yes, soon Ratio would be able to see their location, a few questions would surely be answered this way.
“Do you think if I stay here long enough, I’ll be able to find Papa, Mama, and Big Sis eventually?” Kakavasha asked, turning his head towards the window.
Now this was concerning, he would have to choose his words carefully.
“I'm starting to remember things and… if I go back into the waking world… Papa, Mama, and Big Sis won't be there either…” Kakavasha continued as he turned back to face Ratio, tears flooding in his eyes.
“Even so, you can't stay here forever, you'll have to wake up from the dream eventually” Ratio spoke as he started to understand the situation.
“What if I just… don't?” Kakavasha asked as a tear rolled down his cheek.
Ratio reached out and gently wiped the tear away with his thumb “Even so, I hope you’ll choose to wake up, that’s what your family would have wanted for you too”
Kakavasha turned his head up to face Ratio and managed a chuckle “Mister’s plaster head is so handsome, it makes me wonder if he’ll smile as gently as Big Sis does under it…”
Ratio blinked in surprise, was he wearing his plaster head this entire time? He brought his hands up onto the sides and slowly removed his plaster head, placing it on his lap before turning back to Kakavasha, whose eyes now look as wide as saucers.
“Mister… you… your eyes…” tears welled up in Kakavasha’s eyes once again, his face flushed red “Could… Could you be the dawn that Big Sis mentioned before?”
The city finally came into view at that moment, the giant clock in the distance confirmed that it was unmistakably Penacony City, Ratio smiled. “If I were, do you suppose we’ll meet again in the waking world someday?”
Ratio’s eyes snapped open once again, the sound of his alarm ringing around him, he found himself staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling and sat up, slowly remembering that he is currently lying on a bed in a hotel room. He reached for his phone and looked at the time, 2pm.
That’s right, he is on vacation because that one Avgin he knew, that work friend in question, managed to convince him to visit Clock Studios Theme Park with him in Penacony City. If it were anyone else, Ratio would have flat out rejected it, but because it was Aventurine (yes, that’s the only name he knew him by), who he may or may not actually have a crush on (he can’t believe this either), he could only give in and watch as the tickets are booked.
While Ratio works as a professor in The University of Veritas Prime, Aventurine works as a senior manager of the Strategic Investment Department at the IPC, and also one of the Ten Stonehearts. Therefore, they technically do not work together. However, due to certain projects related to students’ internships along with Ratio’s personal academic accomplishments that made the IPC personally request his presence at times, they somehow got acquainted with each other in one way or another.
Aventurine, who is just around two years younger than him, was the one who had first approached him outside of work, stating that they should get to know each other better. Ratio was reluctant initially, but soon found himself unknowingly getting dragged in Aventurine’s pace until they formed a friendship of sorts. As the university was just two stations away from the IPC building, they eventually got into an arrangement to have dinner with each other at least once a week, further deepening their friendship in one way or another.
The both of them had arrived in Penacony City at 5am in the morning. After an early but hearty breakfast, they had checked into their separate (but connecting) rooms in the hotel to wash up and take a nap first before leaving for Clock Studios Theme Park in the late afternoon.
Kakavasha…
Ratio typed the name into the notes app on his phone along with a few other details that he managed to remember from the dream. He’ll have to first find out if the little Avgin boy Kakavasha is someone who indeed existed in the real world or if it were all just a strangely realistic dream. If Kakavasha were indeed real, then Ratio should definitely try to help him to the best of his ability. He isn’t married so unfortunately, he won’t be able to adopt the little boy. Perhaps once he has confirmed Kakavasha’s existence, he could try to talk to Aventurine about it as he might be in contact with other Avgins who may be able to help.
With those thoughts in mind, Ratio began preparing for the outing.
After preparations were done, Ratio stared at his reflection in the full length mirror. The dress code was set as casual so he’s only wearing a simple white button-up shirt with a dark blue trench coat and black trousers. He was just done fixing the laurel on his hair when he heard a knock on the connecting door, that means that Aventurine is ready now too.
The moment Ratio opened the door, the strong scent of sweet citrus invaded his room immediately. In contrast to the overpowering scent however, the man now standing in front of him is just wearing a simple white shirt clad with a bluish-grey hoodie and brown trousers. He has seen a similar combination of clothes before.
“Hm? What’s this? You’ve always told me off in regards to my amazing fashion sense and suddenly you’re quiet now that I’ve decided to dress down for once?” Aventurine teased, a smirk on his face.
Ratio feels a headache brewing, he still can’t believe that this is the guy he fell for. “The outfit is fine, I’m just stunned at how you still decided to put on perfume anyway” He sighed.
“Wouldn’t be me without it don’t you think?” Aventurine grinned proudly before continuing on a surprisingly softer note “I’m glad you’re okay with this outfit though”
“Perhaps it would do you good to wear less gaudy outfits once in a while” Ratio scoffed, turning to walk towards the main door.
“Hmhmm~ Maybe I’ll think about it seriously if you ask me nicely next time~” Aventurine drawled as he followed behind.
“Heh.”
Clock Studios Theme Park was not an amusement park that Ratio has ever been to before in his life. However, despite the park being clearly themed after the Clockie cartoon, it was most certainly the amusement park he was at in that dream. Perhaps it was due to them going on a weekday but the park isn’t too crowded either, which works well for Ratio anyway.
Aventurine took a large step forward before spinning around to face Ratio “You know, I’ve never actually been to an amusement park before, have you ever been to one before, Prof?” He asked curiously.
“No, I have not.” Ratio replied, pondering if it was a good time to bring up his dream from earlier.
“Is that so… You see, I've always wanted to go to an amusement park when I was a child” Aventurine admitted before turning back to take another step forward as he began to walk.
“Did your family not bring you to one?” Ratio asked, walking next to him.
“They almost did actually, at that time, although we weren't really well off back then... they still managed to save up enough to likely bring our entire family to one on my 10th birthday! It was this very place too, Clock Studios Theme Park, I was really excited back then too I remember…” Aventurine explained, as if reminiscing.
“You used to live in Penacony City?” Ratio blinked, surprised.
“Yeah? Why do you sound so surprised? You know that the Avgins got scattered all around the world after we got forced out of our homeland”
Ratio’s thoughts flew back to the dream he had earlier. That’s right, the little Avgin boy, Aventurine might just be able to… “I am aware, it just so happens that I was reminded of something. Speaking of which, I may or may not require your help with it after learning about that information”
“Hm? Is it about one of your students?” Aventurine asked.
“Your family… do they still live in Penacony City to this day?” Ratio asked. While he is aware that Aventurine lives alone, the guy has never really brought up his family in conversations much.
“About that…” Aventurine mumbled to himself before stopping in his tracks and turning to face Ratio, an unreadable smile on his face “Continuing from where I’ve left off before, we never managed to go in the end, because a neighbour decided to murder my entire family that same day, I was the only lucky one who survived”
Ratio froze, his blood ran cold as he stared into Aventurine’s soulless eyes and enigmatic smile. “I apologise…”
Aventurine’s eyes widened and shook his head “No, I did not tell you this just so you would-”
“Still I…”
Aventurine shakes his head quickly once again and looks up with a smile that’s softer this time as he starts to walk towards the platform for the train ride “I do intend to tell you a few more things about myself today but hmm… let’s take it easy for now, a change of mood perhaps?”
Still a bit concerned, Ratio followed behind him as he joined the queue for the ride.
“Isn’t this ride for children?” Ratio commented after a while as he felt extremely aware of the children queuing in front and behind them.
“Don’t see a sign saying that only children are allowed on it though” Aventurine shrugs “Besides, it goes around the entire park, we’ll be able to see what else is there too, now isn’t that convenient” He winks.
Ratio nods slowly, turning his eyes away with a flush the moment he saw Aventurine smile at him in return.
Once they reached the front, they were told that the both of them could not fit on a single cart so Ratio had to get on the cart behind Aventurine instead. Aventurine doesn’t look too happy about it but accepted nonetheless. As Ratio sat in the cart, he noticed that there would have been enough space for a child and it was probably designed that way for when a child wants an adult to accompany them. Kakavasha sat next to him pretty comfortably in the dream after all.
Unsurprisingly, Ratio receives a text from Aventurine a minute after the ride starts.
Aventurine: bummer, i wanna sit together w u 😣
Ratio: Well, it can’t be helped after all, it really is too cramped for two adult men like ourselves.
Aventurine: oh well, where do u wanna go next tho? im seeing some carnival games and my gambling senses r ⬆️⬆️⬆️
Ratio: Damned Gambler…
Aventurine: u kno i always win 😉
Ratio: k
Aventurine: 🙁
Ratio: On the record, we should probably visit other places before that as you tend to win huge prizes that we would end up having trouble carrying around.
Aventurine: 😳
After the train ride, the both of them went for a few high speed roller coaster rides as suggested by Aventurine who was raving on how it's all about the thrill. Ratio isn't quite sure how he survived those by the end.
Though was it even considered ‘surviving’ if he's still sitting dazed on a bench now as Aventurine went off to get some food for them both? He continued to sit in a daze with his eyes closed for a while longer until he felt something cold and wet against his cheek.
“Got you some water~” Aventurine’s smooth voice flowed into his ear.
Ratio opened his eyes and took the bottle of water before shifting to the side of the bench to make some space for Aventurine.
Aventurine sat next to him and continued “I got some sandwiches for us, and a Potato fries sundae!”
“A Potato fries what?” Ratio turned towards Aventurine just to see him dip a fry in soft serve vanilla ice cream before eating it. He sighed as he uncapped the bottle of water and gulped down half of it before closing it. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness struck him as he found his head falling against Aventurine’s head next to him.
“Prof? Still feeling dizzy?”
Ratio made a sound of affirmation as he tried to pull back.
“Wait, I have an idea Prof! You could rest your head on my lap for the time being~” Aventurine suggested with a wink as he patted the surface of his lap as an invitation.
At this, Ratio closed his eyes and compiled, letting his head rest on Aventurine’s lap. Opening his eyes after was a mistake however as all he could see was Aventurine’s multi-coloured eyes and mischievous smile. He flushed, trying to shift his head away only to remember that his head is currently resting on Aventurine’s lap, there’s literally no escape for him.
“Is it better like this?” Aventurine questioned, tilting his head a little.
Ratio nodded slowly as he tried to compose himself.
“Do you wanna try one?” Aventurine asked with a grin as he dipped a fry and held it out towards Ratio.
Ratio sighed and took the fry into his mouth and started chewing on it silently. It doesn’t taste too bad, he’s just mad at how easily he tends to give in to things whenever Aventurine is involved. And if Aventurine offered a second and third fry with a smile after, he accepted those as well just like clockwork, he feels that he’s probably hopeless at this point.
“Ah right, the sandwich, I almost forgot, here” Aventurine held out the sandwich in front of Ratio after finishing the last of his fries.
Ratio grabbed and unwrapped the sandwich, it is a simple toasted egg sandwich, he mumbled a ‘thank you’ before munching on it quietly.
Aventurine unwrapped his sandwich as well, leaning back against the bench “Say, Ratio… I’m not sure if I should bring this up but, I’ve actually found out about a month ago that you were the one sending lunch to my office at work”
Ratio froze, that’s not possible, he had informed the lady at the front desk to keep his identity secret.
“Ah no, this has nothing to do with Cass, who is truly an amazing person by the way. I was the one who happened to see you when I came into the office early that day and she wasn’t aware of it either even to this day…” Aventurine hurriedly explained. “I just didn’t let you know after because well… I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to bring it up…”
“That’s because…” Ratio shifted his head to the side, not sure if he wanted to face Aventurine at the moment “You mentioned that you don’t eat lunch because you have neither the time nor energy to go downstairs for lunch right?”
“And your solution to that was to pack lunch for me everyday?” Aventurine teased.
Ratio closed his eyes as he flushed, he sure hoped that wasn't visible. “Yes. I make lunch for myself to bring to work every morning so…”
“Oh? It’s homemade? How nice of you Prof~ Would you do the same for any other friend?” Aventurine asked curiously.
“No…”
“Ahh I guess it's a bestie only thing then~” Aventurine laughed as he finally took a bite of his sandwich.
No, it's just you. Ratio wanted to correct but that would have exposed himself so he was glad he didn't say it. All he could do was just eat his sandwich in silence.
After the food, the both of them went for a few more calmer rides like the merry-go-round and even slightly less calm ones like the bumper cars before heading towards the area with the carnival games. Aventurine’s luck truly shone there as he won a couple of prizes although Ratio would attribute some of those winnings to pure skill.
Once they exited the area, Aventurine turned around with a smile as he shoved a plushie into Ratio’s hands. “Caught you staring intensely at it earlier, so here you go~”
It was a plushie in the shape of an Origami bird that had caught Ratio’s eye in a claw machine at the entrance while he was waiting for Aventurine to get some tokens. While Ratio has a soft spot for birds in general, this specific plushie has a yellow and teal colour scheme with peacock feathers and pink sunglasses that greatly reminded him of a certain gambler. He held the plushie close to his chest as he said his thanks.
Aventurine’s eyes darkened for a second before he smiled it off and turned away to walk ahead “Glad you like it, let's go to our last ride of the day then, the ferris wheel!”
Thankfully, there wasn’t a long line for the ferris wheel and Ratio was soon seated opposite Aventurine in a pod as the ride slowly but surely made its way up. Ratio noticed that Aventurine has a somewhat complicated expression on his face. Concerned, Ratio was about to open his mouth when Aventurine suddenly shot up from his seat, his left hand behind his back.
“Remember when I mentioned how I was the only one who survived the attack?” Aventurine spoke, his eyes locked with Ratio’s as he smiled slightly.
Ratio nodded slowly, unable to take his eyes off Aventurine. To be willing to share what must have been a painful past like this, must have taken a lot of courage. Therefore, he decided that he will listen to it till the very end.
“Although I survived the attack, I was actually in a coma for a few days” Aventurine continued.
Coma? That’s right, the newspaper article back then! Racially motivated attack… Avgin boy… coma… was that about Aventurine?
“Would you believe me if I told you that although I’ve never stepped into any amusement park until today, I’ve actually been here before?”
If he remembered correctly, that boy’s name was……… Wait. But how?
“In a… dream, right?” Ratio finds himself blurting out unconsciously.
Aventurine’s smile widened as he took a step closer “That’s right! It feels like I’ve been walking around the park forever until I met…”
“Some guy in a plaster head” Ratio smiled.
Aventurine laughed in mutual understanding as he took another step closer and sat down next to Ratio “You know Ratio, today's the day of the Kakava, and also my birthday”
“Kakavasha…”
Aventurine… no, Kakavasha nodded with a smile “Surprised aren't you? Well, you wouldn't believe this but I wouldn't have woken up if it weren't for you back then”
“I could have done more…” Ratio started. “But it seems like I was already late from the very beginning”
Kakavasha blinked as he seemed to remember something “Wait, was the thing you mentioned that you might require my help for…?”
Ratio nodded “I had that dream earlier back in the hotel actually…”
With that, Kakavasha laughed and leaned his back against Ratio “Ahh Handsome Mister really is kind after all… you didn’t even know who I am, and yet…” And then, turning around to pull Ratio towards him, caressing his cheek softly, Kakavasha whispered “You truly are my dawn after all…” and leaned in.
That was all the warning Ratio got before he felt a pair of lips over his own. His eyes widened for a second before closing them, slowly easing into the kiss as he parted his lips to allow Kakavasha to deepen it further.
The rest was a blur but once they parted from the kiss, they were both out of breath and Kakavasha had somehow shifted onto Ratio’s lap in the process, almost pinning him to the corner of the pod.
Ratio was sure he could not hide the flush spreading across his face this time but his brain was too mushed up to care, intertwining his fingers with Kakavasha’s, still out of breath, he blurted “...Again”
Kakavasha laughed “Oh Ratio, I never imagined that you'd have this side in you, that's adorable~”
“I'm in love with you.” Ratio responded in a confession as his grip tightened, pulling Kakavasha towards him… only to be blocked by the Origami bird plushie between them.
“S-Sorry about that, Ratio… I feel the same but…we’ve got to get off the ride now” Kakavasha said sheepishly as he got off Ratio’s lap.
Ratio turned to the side, saw the ferris wheel staff looking at them, and immediately flushed red in embarrassment. He grabbed the plushie, stood up, and left the pod, walking huge strides out of the ferris wheel area with Kakavasha following behind.
Once they’re a good distance away, Kakavasha took Ratio’s hand into his and suggested mischievously “So… about just now, let’s continue after we get back shall we, there will be no one around to bother us then”
Intertwining their fingers together, Ratio nodded with a smile. Given everything that happened today, this day would definitely be one that he would never forget.