#odyssey

The trip up to their vacation spot was an adventure in and of itself! Having rented a quite spacious minivan, there are ample seats for the entire Silverwolf Crew.

Gwen finds herself tucked in between Briar and Rochallor, after a scuffle about who was on whose "side of the seat" threatened to break out.

Blossom gets most of a row to herself, and Flo volunteered to be seated near her, and insists that she isn't bothered by the wind blowing through the Centaur filly's open window, even as it musses her hair. Rian is tucked safely into a car seat, and blessedly seems inclined to sleep through the ride.

Julius and Bluebell share the front, with the Satyr driving and the pooka attempting to get the passengers singing along to driving songs.

Briar asks at least every 10 minutes - or as often as they pass a fast food sign along the interstate - if they can stop for burgers... though this is somewhat mitigated by the foresight of Marigold to pack ample snacks, and Flo's mom-radar that manages to keep Briar's mouth full with little prompting.

It's only a couple hours, though it may seen a lifetime... and at the end of the trail, they've reached their destination!

ENCHANTED FOREST WATER SAFARI!

"You can find something for everyone at the Enchanted Forest Water Safari. Its amusement rides include your classic tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, and round-up (the one where centrifugal force keeps you plastered to the walls). Then there’s the lovely Sky Ride, which mimics a ride in a hot air balloon, giving you a fantastic vista over the park. Any members of your party who aren’t crazy about rides and water slides can explore the park’s petting zoo, grab a bite to eat at the Wild West-themed “Dawson City” (which includes a jail, barber shop, and saloon), or head to "Storybook Lane," where little fiction-lovers can step into the houses of their favorite bedtime stories and fairy tales. To top it all off, don’t miss the Family Circus Show, performed daily at noon and 4 pm, featuring trapeze artists, jugglers, and other exciting acts."

Flo reads off one of the pamphlets, and smiles. "That DOES sound fitting for a group of fairies, does it not?"

Gwen gives the patented troll glare as she place seat referee, it's not as developed as the thanes, but between that and her stone skinned bulk, it serves.

She sing songs a bit but blushes a lot. She's not crazy about her voice, fortunately, BLossom seems eager to join in so there's one besides the couple breaking the ice.

Then they see their destination... and Gwen winces at the Wild West option but resolves herself she is here to guard the others so even if she's likely the only authentic "Indian" there, so be it, "The Circus does sound neat"

"I wanna go on the sky ride or the Ferris wheel!" Briar proclaims. "I saw this prank where you drop some bolts or shit on the ground RIGHT when it takes off, and then the riders scream 'cuz they think they're gonna die!"

As Julius goes to park the car, Bluebell looks over the Circus Show poster with interest. "In a past life, perhaps I was a rabbit daring the trapeze..."

Flo finishes rubbing sunscreen on Rian's fair and delicate skin, and then insists that everyone else slather up too. "And if you go on the water rides, you'll need to reapply after."

Briar snorts at this. "I ain't afraid of a little SUNSHINE. And we're Fai-" Bluebell shushes, and makes a "key locking mouth" motion. Begrudgingly, Briar continues, "We're TOUGH and won't get, like, cancer. Hey! Does that mean I can smoke?"

"We could set you on fire" Rochollor nods solemnly

Gwen fights a snerk at that

Blossom ponders "I think I want to go to Storybook Lane, oh but the rides sound fun, of course there is the petting zoo, but we have animals..." Oh yes, she's unsure and excited

Flo remarks, "Rian is too young for the rides, but I'd be happy to escort you to the petting zoo or Storybook Lane." Smiling to Blossom.

"Ain't gotta set me on fire, It's already HOT. Let's go swimming, that big waterslide looks cool." Briar says to Gwen. "Did you ever hear about putting razor blades on a slide? I thought it would make you come out the bottom in ribbons like bloody spaghetti, but it just gives 'em a buncha cuts on your butt and legs." Briar sounds a bit disappointed, but also like a voice of experience?

Bluebell rests a hand on Rochallor's shoulder. "Which do you despise the idea of the most?"

Rochallor smiles sheepioshly "Joe keeps telling me Rides are teerrrible" Hopeful

"Then we have just the thing to keep Joe smiling." Bluebell wiggles her fingers in the air to Gwen. "Wouldst you take Rochallor along for company, as you must ride upon yon dragons of steel and wood?"

Julius offers to Blossom, "We'll spend most of the day here, so you can choose what you'd like first. Sounds like Gwen is going to the rides, and Bluebell I see eyeing the circus and petting zoo... If you wanted something else, I can tag along."

He also points out a few spots on the map brochure he picked up at the entry. "There are rooms here, and here, where you can change into a swim suit for the water rides. If you didn't bring one, they also sell them at the gift shop."

Blossom DOES have a bathing suit packed - a designer one-piece with a floral design and pink ruffles that came along with her other spoils from Calanthe.

"Oh I want to see the circus" Gwen says "At four right?" She had mentioned it and would like to see. "But some rides are fine too"

"I have a swimsuit, the Doctor gave it to me" Usinggg Calanthe's other title proudly

"The Chancellor certainly enjoys shopping." Julius remarks, and then he stumbles a little as a Bluebell elbow gets him, purely by accident. "And she enjoys your company, I am sure." He adds, rubbing at his ribs.

"I love shopping too" Blossom beams. It would appear she adores the attention she gets from the Chancellor and Baron "And they like me to put on performances for otthers. Everyone says I do stuff VERY well"

Gwen does not say anything about that. She is however "So let's see, you'll be at... and you'll be at ..." SHe gauges who she will have to check on how oftenn where to keep an eye , a protective eye on them. Much of her trip here will be guarding

"Can you go swimming, or will you sink?" Briar asks Gwen, bluntly. "Do we need to get floaties for you? Do they make 'em big enough?"

Gwen's normal copper hues ggo bright red, "I really don't know. I'm not wearing floaties" She has not been, as far as she knows, in water deeper than she is sincee the change "I'll be okay." As if saying so will make it so

"Yeah, you're tough. If you sink, I bet you could just hold your breath and walk out." Briar grins.

"One way to find out" Gwen mutters, and seems quite serious about it. She is here to protect them, she will not fail the baron.

Gwen will also find that she hasn't been neglected. If she didn't already own a suit, there are a few options included, with tags still on so that she can pick one. No bikinis - not that Gwen couldn't rock one, but Marigold didn't think that was her 'style', but nicer one-pieces, from the kind with cutouts that show your stomach, to a more modest option with shoulders and swim skirt/shorts at the bottom.

Briar's has a shark pattern...

Bluebell whispers something to Julius, who translates, "Looks like you're on Ride duty, Gwen. Bluebell is going by - I think - the petting zoo first. We'll get lunch after, and then go see the circus show at 4. Everyone, stick with someone taller than you, and have fun."

"Yes, Julius"

Briar is dragging at Gwen's arm. "C'MON! Hey, you coming too, horsebutt?" She asks, looking over at the other children - it's not clear which she's asking, or perhaps both?

Rochallor nods and prepares to follow/ Blossom looks ready to go with Bluebell and Julius

Gwen smiles just a bit at Briar and readies to lead this half out

Briar whoops in excitement as Gwen starts moving finally, and leads the way to the rides. A tilt-o-whirl, a giant 'Pirate' ship that swings up, up, up, and then down and up the other direction, with delighted shrieks coming from the strapped in patrons. A log ride that promises splashes but not full dunks in the water, a zipline over the park, the tall Ferris wheel, and a twisty/turned waterslide that rivals the Ferris wheel in height.

"I hope I get so dizzy that I barf! Then I can get funnel cakes before lunch!" Briar adds, eyeing a concession stand.

"Well, if you want dizzy, the tilt O Whirl sounds good"

"Yeah! Yeah!"

The crowds are low as it is a weekday, and there is only a brief wait to get to the front of the line. Tickets are exchanged. "Last one in is a rotten egg!" Briar scrambles to hop into one of the seats.

Roch hops in, the normally nervous lad seems far more a boy in some eways, grinningg openly

Gwen sits next to him, ready to grab him should he need more support

A bored looking youth with a scruffy chin and rat-tail hair rattles off a memorized script. "... make sure that your hands remain within the ride at all times. The ride will only stop for emergencies. Crying is not an emergency."

Stepping off, he flips a big lever with an audible CLUNK and the spinning starts!

A brow.

At first it's slow, the chairs gently orbiting on the platform, and turning as well... but as it speeds up, they find that the lighter childlings slide from side to side with the momentum and motion! Gwen is a bit sturdier, but she still feels the pull of the twist and turn, sudden stop and rebound in the opposite direction! Hopefully no one suffers from motion sickness!

Roch holds on with all his might and says "Joe is gettin ddiiiizzzeee" he's having fun

Gwen helps steady the others if they need it, but also grins and actually says as it gets faster "Bring it on"

SPIN! CLUNK! TWIRL! ZOOM! All too soon, the ride is slowing back down again, and the bars lift so that riders can rise and stagger dizzily back to solid ground. Briar does not vomit, though it's a little unclear if she is pleased or disappointed by that.

"Again!"

Roch wobbles even in his seat

"You okay, Rochollor?" Gwen asks

"Yeah! Show us your breakfast!" Briar crows in delight.

Roch looks up "Anything Briar can do, I can do too. Why I could bite through steel"

Gwen looks dubious, but nods "Okay. We'll do it again" The troll seems unfazed by the spinning. She has rocks skin, and an iron constitution

The teenager doesn't seem to care much as they stick around for a second round, droning out once more, "... make sure that your hands remain within the ride at all times. The ride will only stop for emergencies. Crying is not an emergency."

CLUNK goes the lever, and the spinning starts again!

Round and round, round and round... Gwen may notice that Briar has stopped shrieking in enjoyment, and looks a bit green. She leans over a bit, seeing if she can reach the restraining bar with her teeth.

A hand reaches over to catch Briar's shoulder "Steady"

And to keep her from biting through the bar while they're whirling

"Urk." She says.

Soon enough (or perhaps never soon enough) the ride slows once more, and Briar stumbles to the edge of the platform, and yaks up her own breakfast. A scream of dismay comes from below... and Briar looks rather more cheered when she turns back around. "Look out below!" She calls back belatedly, and then hustles off the other side.

Roch is fine... just fine, then Briar pukes.. and like a kid, he looks down where she puked at the ...mess, and the smell.... and while Gwen is patting Briar on the shoulder... well, Rochalor says "Garggaloo...urk!" and here comes a second smaller splash

"Ah shit" Gwen turns to yannk the boy away and after Briar

"nope, other end.." the boy confesses "mountains of carrots"

Briar cackles and offers the pooka boy a fist bump. "Now can we get some food? I smell funnel cakes and hot dogs. It won't ruin my lunch. I made room!" She says with a grin, as if anyone ever worried about a Redcap's appetite.