|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:33 am
Now, Victor had promised them a family outing. And while Riley's injury had delayed it, it certainly hadn't tossed it out the window for good. He was able to secure as many days off as before-only one really-but that was enough for a visit to the more local theme park "Gaia Land". And since Kai insisted he couldn't take that day off, Vic agreed to let Riley pick a friend to come with her. It already wasn't a "family" outing without him, so why not let her have a bit more fun with someone her age?
Since it was extremely last minute Liam arranged it for her and the third eldest was a practical sort. He didn't ask her who she wanted to come, he simply arranged the meeting. It saved them any fussing and complications. So, Vic was able to tell Riley that morning that Manny would be coming with them.
Riley, of course, was estatic. She had been a bit sulky upon hearing Kai couldn't come. Sure he was often a wet blanket, but he was family. She had wanted them all to be there. But in the news of her friend the worry was forgotten and she was grinning ear to ear Her energy was still buzzing through the car ride and the ticket gate. It was obvious that once they were let loose she'd be off like a rocket leading-or dragging-Manny along with her.
"Don't go too far, guys, and remember, ever two rides you need to check back with one of us, ok?" Victor told him, making this assertion law, "You've got your walkie talkie, Riley, so don't forget."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:41 am
Manny had been dropped off at their house that morning, and all through the car ride had been fairly quiet. She hadn't ever been to a theme park, and at the sight of all the giant roller coasters she was a little frightened. But she could be brave, especially with Riley there. "Yes Mister Victor," she said politely, smoothing the front of her wool coat. She had adapted well for the cold she thought, with a black belted wool coat and elegant dark wash jeans. She turned to her friend with a smile, pushing a lock of curls back over her shoulder. "What do you want to do first?" she asked curiously, not having a clue herself where to start.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:51 am
Riley, on the other hand, seemed to be...in denial to the weather change. Though she was wearing long pants, she refused to dawn a coat or a shirt with anything but short sleaves. She ignored informative goose bumps and stiff feathers and marched on stubbornly as if it were still the middle of summer. At her friend's question her "ears" twitched and she pivoted, folding her arms and peering at the rise and fall of various attractions before them. It didn't take her long to decide. She pointed right at the biggest ride she could see, called the "Cat's Cradle" that rotated in a circle verdically while keeping it's top, where the riders sat, level. "Let's ride that one!" she grinned brightly, her eyes alight at the prospect of such daring adventures as boarding such rides.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:03 am
Manny paled at the sight of the massive death trap, but Riley's enthusiasm gave her a little confidence. She reached to take the other girl's hand, hoping to find some courage in it. "Ok, but you have to sit next to me," she bargained, "Near the front." She was still a good bit shorter than Riley, and to be honest she had a few concerns about the other's sense of fashion, but she kept them to herself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:14 am
"Of course!" Riley agreed without thought, her smile fused with an electric flare of confidence. "Besides," she said with a sharp, sweeping gesture of her hand, "the front is the best spot to sit! Runeh and Mikael said so!" Well, best depending on what you wanted. Putting her faith in the twins wasn't always the wisest choice. The front was always the fastest and most daring spot of all, at least in most rides. It might suit Riley, but as for Manny...that had yet to be seen.
"Come on!" She laughed, squeezing Manny's hand firmly in hers as she attempted to lead her friend quickly over to the ride's entrence. Luckily, because it was a "smaller" ride, it didn't have much of a line to speak of. Plus, fewer people ventured to the park in the winter months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:19 am
Manny stumbled on her heels as she was tugged along. For a moment she thought maybe sneakers would have been a better choice, but that was discounted by her inner voice deciding it wouldn't have been worth the faux pas. She was both relieved and bothered by the fact that the line was so short, wondering what exactly was wrong with the ride that not everyone wanted to be on it. She puffed her chest out, taking a deep breath as they advanced to the front. This would be alright, they wouldn't have something open if it was dangerous, right. "Hey Riley," she asked cautiously, "Are you scared?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:32 am
"Hmm?" Riley blinked, turning her head to look at Manny with curiousity swirling in her silver tinted eyes, "Scared? 'Course not!" Even if she had been, she wouldn't have admited it. But since her body was fairly relaxed, appart from the obvious excitement she felt, she was obviously telling the truth. "I'll be fun, you'll see!" She assured her friend as the ride employee opened the gate and began to allow passengeres on. She immediately tried to lead Manny through and up the stairs to board the wide platform full of seats.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:01 am
An almost paralyisis came over Manuela as they got to the seats, realizing that there wasn't a going back after this. "I-" her throat felt dry, and Riley's admittance that she wasn't scared at all wasn't helping. Did that mean there was something wrong with her because she was? "I am," she squeaked as they boarded the front row, gripping the safety bar tight as she waited anxiously for everyone else to sit down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:50 am
Riley plopped down on the bench next to Manny. She didn't comtemplate the looseness of the seats nor the fact that only a pull down bar was there to keep them from flying out. She had never been on a ride before, but it seemed while Manny chose to face the first experience with fear, she chose to go about it with a reckless sense of trust. "Really?" she asked, seeming a little surprised. But even that couldn't dampen her mood. Instead she slung her arm through the other girl's with a wide smile, "That's ok! I'll hold on to ya, there's no way you'd fall out!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:58 am
This reassurance put a smile on Manuela's face as she loosened her grip on the bar, looking behind her. All the other people seemed excited, so she should be to. With a call from the man in charge the bars locked down, and Manny closed her eyes for a moment. Here they went. The motors started up and she opened on eye, thinking for the moment it wasn't so bad. However, it was right about then when it started to speed up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:27 am
The ride moved forward , gathering speed, and then dropped. Riley let out a sharp cry of delight that seemed to be left in the air behind them as she felt her stomach float briefly before the ride swooped backwards and they went up again. They slowed near the top, giving the riders the briefest moment to catch there breath and perhaps see their companion's ruffled hair before it was off again, swooping down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:53 am
Manuela shrieked as the ride dropped, her fingers paling to a disturbing color as she cut the blood flow off gripping the bar. "How is this fun?" she shouted over the noise, closing her eyes tight as they started to go up again. She really didn't want to see what was next.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:24 pm
Riley laughed, leaning forward against the bar as she felt her hair lift as the plummetted again. "Whaddya mean, how?" she shouted back, her grin so wide that her mouth was openly slightly, "Look at how high we are! Whoooooo~!" The ride swung back around and slowed again at the top. This time it seemed like it might be over...but instead the right began to go in reverse, sliding backwards and dropping in the other direction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:00 pm
Manuela trembled as the thing shifted into reverse, her curls blowing forward to cover her face. She was more whimpering than screaming now, not wanting to look down. Her stomach felt like it was tying itself in knots, and in an attempt to steady herself she wrapped her tail up around her leg and secured it to Riley's. When would this thing be over? It was horrible!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:11 pm
After a few more turns the ride finally came to a stop. Riley let out an audible groan of disappointment as with a whisk of released air the platform became still and the holding rails sprang open. It hadn't been a very long ride-perhaps 5 minutes long. People began to rise from their seats and drift out of the opened gate all seeming to wear various reactions from the ride. "Well come on Manny," Riley encouraged cheerfully, ready to see what else there was to do around the park. The posibilities were endless!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
