heirtothedragonsfire | Forays into the Land of Fun - Bringing westfallcorndog to a Funfair

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Forays into the Land of Fun - Bringing westfallcorndog to a Funfair

Though she'd only been around a short time Runa had already made an impact on Viatorus' life. His office was filled with flowers and, more often than not, fresh baking. She'd fearlessly stepped into the Nexus and welcomed his friends, who had in turn welcomed her right back. It was as she was an unstoppable force of boundless optimism. So when she asked Viatorus to come with her to a fair ground it was impossible for him to give her an adequate excuse to get out of it. Not that he particularly wanted to. Even with his thoughts deep in his work the novelty of a fun fair piqued his curiosity. He'd relented and Isidor had stood firm on needing to come along to protect both of them. As with anything, Runa took the idea as if it were her own, continuing the thought that maybe they should invite someone else along to even out the numbers. 'In case there are any games with teams', she'd said.

They had agreed to meet with Harrowheart at Viatorus' office where the scholar then took his friend and his fiancée to his home on his own world. This time it wasn't a mansion, but an apartment, and Isidor was waiting for them. In contrast to Viatorus with his jumper over a shirt and his suit trousers, or Inigrun with her shirt and jumper harking back to older styles, Isidor is wearing the most contemporary clothes of them all. The all black ensemble includes fitted trousers, short heeled boots and a jacket that looks more sleek than warm.

"You look like a bodyguard," Viatorus says to his sister, not bothering to hide his amusement.

"It was only to make you feel better about having a babysitter," she teases as she passes him and he pouts. Walking up to Harrowheart, she looks him up and down and holds up a wooden, flat square box. "I managed to borrow this for the day. So you don't draw any unwanted attention." She tilts her head at him. "Can you grow back your hair?"

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After Runa calls to them Harrowheart laughs, still worried and yet bolstered by her eagerness. "Hell, I can't be less brave than Runa. Let's get this over with."

He boards the ride alongside his friends with a stony expression but in short order he's being flung around, and it's so overwhelming! He grips his restraints tightly and tries to focus on one point in the distance, but with the twists of the machine he soon finds it isn't possible. Instead he screws his eyes shut and grits his teeth to endure it until it's over.

And in that moment reality feels very much like a memory. He isn't in control of where he's going. He can't move the way he wants to. All around him is the smell of fear and the sounds of people shrieking. Eyes still closed, world still dark, his hands drop from his harness to his waist but find only emptiness where the handles of his runeblades ought to be. It's for the best. This isn't Northrend, it's England – Earth. This isn't a battlefield, it's a carnival. A place for fun. His fists clench tightly around the cloth of his shorts and he keeps his eyes shut tight.

It's just a ride. It's just a ride. He's having fun. It's just a ride...

When it seems to be slowing he opens his eyes again to see how his friends are faring. They probably didn't have as many unintentional thoughts of bloodshed as he did, but it was certainly scary in its own right. Right? They deserve an attempt at a smile from him, which he nervously provides along with the bubbling of some insincere laughter.

After their feet are on solid ground (and he's readjusted to that bizarre sensation) he hastens to pull out a cigarette and lighter and puff his cares away with glassy, distant eyes. Of course he's gentleman enough to offer a smoke to everyone else, though he's fairly sure none of them are going to take it. Then again, that was some wild ride. You never know what's going to drive someone to their first cigarette.

Of the four of them it's clear who fared the best. Runa bounds from her seat with unsteady legs that she doesn't seem aware of. "That was wonderful!" Her laughter tumbles uncontrollably and she puts a hand on her chest. "Oh, my heart is beating so fast!"

Viatorus is close behind, but walks far more carefully than she does, one hand resting on his stomach, an undecided smile on his lips. "That was… That was fun." He almost sounds surprised by himself, but the decision cements his smile. "That was fun. I… I might go on that again."

That makes Runa laugh with delight, but there's a hint of dismay in Isidor's face. "Not straight away… Give me a minute. Or a few minutes." She looks more like Harrowheart than Runa, her hands on her hips while she steadies her breathing and hides the slight tremble of her nerves. Harrowheart's offer (which is declined by all three of them) gives her more time to ground herself. "Can we… Can we keep our feet on the ground for a bit, please?"

Her brother smiles gently and takes up asking the inevitable question. "Where would you like to go next? There are games to play, or the ghost house, or the house of mirrors, or food?"

"No food." Isidor's judgement is immediate. "Not yet."

Though he's never one to turn down food (despite not needing it) there's a smile on Harrowheart's face at Isidor's insistence that they don't eat. He picks up the implication. There will definitely be more crazy rides.

"Now, wait a minute here," he mumbles thoughtfully, mostly directed at Viatorus but open to the group. "Y'all keep ghosts around for fun?" It's a few seconds before he decides how he feels about then, and then he's grinning broadly.

"Ghost house. That's where I wanna go. Then I can finally be the bravest person in the group." He stubs his half-smoked cigarette out on a nearby railing and saves the butt in his pocket for later, then turns his too-confident smile to Isidor.

"If it gets too scary just stay close to me. I'm a seasoned necromancer, after all."

"We don't 'keep them around for fun'," Viatorus protests quietly, but Harrowheart is already continuing the decision making.

Isidor had been doing her best to settle herself, but Harrowheart's bravado does the trick. Rising to the challenge she narrows her eyes and smirks at him. "Just because you can't die of fright doesn't mean you're braver than me."

While they exchange jabs, Runa whispers something to Viatorus who coughs to hide a laugh. Then she takes his arm and heads to the colourful construction that promises to scare the four veterans of magic and the arcane.

As is quick becoming customary, Isidor pays for their tickets and then waits for Viatorus and Runa to go on in ahead of her. Inside is dark, but the path is lit well enough to easily go by. Vague waves, skulls, bones and ghosts decorate the wall in glowing paint. The noise is constant, even when it's just a low moan. Chains rattle, robots cackle and lunge stiffly at them, which has Runa squealing in delight and clinging onto an equally startled Viatorus. Though whether he's startled by the automatons or Runa is hard to tell. In their excitement, the two scuttle on faster along the corridor. Isidor's proud casualness and amused smiles are momentarily distracted as she loses line of sight on them.

"Come on," she tells Harrowheart, and speeds up a notch. When she rounds the corner and doesn't see them, she hesitates and then speeds up even more. No sooner has she started walking again than Runa and Viatorus jump out at the two of them from panels hiding the inner workings of the attraction. They yell, though 'yell' might be a generous description of the noise the scholar makes, and grab the shoulders of Harrowheart and Isidor. Viatorus nearly gets flung to one side as Isidor turns around, grabbing his top and readying a spell within a fist. On seeing her brother she stops and scowls, releasing him. "Isis! You scared the life out of me!"

"That was the idea..." he says slowly through an apologetic smile.

As they walk through the haunted house Harrowheart's instinct is to walk beside Isidor with his arm at the ready to block her body from all assaults by ghosts and ghouls. The first time a corpse lunges at them he tries to push her back and get between them. He instinctually raises his other hand to cast a spell, but it fizzles instantly, having grown no farther than a tiny purple spark in his hand. Only after that does he realize that what jumped out at them isn't an actual risen body. It's plastic, rubber... An animatronic ghoul, not a real one, and certainly not subject to necromancy. It recedes into its hiding place and he watches it go, confused. Sheepish and embarrassed at jumping the gun he concedes to stand behind Isidor and follow her, more perplexed than frightened. It's mechanical? It's all mechanical... A house haunted by robots...

He doesn't even notice as Viatorus and Runa disappear ahead of them until Isidor calls him to attention. She seems worried, and it rubs off on him. He hastens to follow only to be grabbed!

The only thing that keeps Harrowheart from decking whatever – or whoever – laid hands on him is the fact that he's still confronting the reality that everything in this place isn't real. He startles when Runa grabs him and whips around in a hurry, but when he sees her blonde hair he can only laugh. Well, cough in surprise first and pull an offended little face at having been caught out, but eventually he laughs.

"Runa, girl, you're cruisin' for a bruisin'." He points between her and Viatorus and chides, "Y'all wouldn't be laughin' if Isidor and I went all Third War on your asses." He crosses his arms over his chest then and scowls between the two of them, trying desperately to look cross despite the nagging hint of a smile at the corners of his lips.

It was a prank after his own heart, and even though he was on the losing end of it he can't help but be charmed.

Smiling more openly now he looks to Isidor and says "They better start acceptin' the fact that we are gonna pay 'em back for this." He's implicating her in her schemes and now there's nothing she can do about it. "You scare 'em to death, then I'll bring 'em back and scare 'em again."

While Viatorus battles Isidor's version of Harrowheart's scowl with an expression of apologetic innocence, Runa holds her sides as she laughs enough for it to hurt. "Oh you come out with the funniest things!" She straightens and pouts, putting on an exceptionally poor immitation of his accent. "'Croos-in for a broos-in.'"

Viatorus bites his lips to hide his grin and then pretends he's paying attention to his sister's wounded pride again.

Beside Harrowheart, Isidor slowly relaxes as she watches the exchanges unfold. Her eyes roam between Viatorus and Runa thoughtfully and that seems to take off any remaining edge to her posture. She smirks at Harrowheart's suggestion and tilts her head at him. "Careful. That might end up being too much fun for just one round."

"I-I-If it helps... This is probably the only way we're going to see either of you two scared, so..." Viatorus shrugs sheepishly, smiling in the hope that this might lighten their punishment.

"Come on, let's get you out of here before you start thinking now is the time to start practicing illusions." Isidor takes her brother by the shoulder and steers him ahead of her again, gesturing for Runa to follow him, resuming their initial formation while they finish the ghost house. After a few steps Isidor leans in to Harrowheart and whispers, "I think they were the scariest thing about this place."

Harrowheart screws his face up in a weak attempt to look indignant at Runa's teasing. It hardly lasts though, and as soon as she's quiet he catches her in the hook of his arm and pulls her in for a maybe-too-tight one armed hug. When Isidor approves of his idea he beams and lets Runa go, wild and free as a Runa ought to be.

Viatorus' timid suggestion nearly sparks Harrowheart to speak, but actually saying aloud 'Pretend you're in mortal danger, I'm sure you'll see Isidor scared' seems like the kind of thing that results in mortal danger coming his way, so he smartly keeps his mouth shut. And besides, he'd hate to break Isidor's mystique.

Her whisper brings him another smile, a proud one, and he nods subtly back to her. "But like I told your brother..." he whispers back, "Evil's fun, but there's always consequences. We'll cook somethin' up to get 'em back sooner or later."

And then to cover his tracks he loudly asks Runa and Viatorus, "What's next, kids? I put my fate in your hands."

Runa laughs and bats her at Harrowheart when he pulls her in. It's not hard to tell that she's far more used to such boisterous antics than her future family. She goes back to Viatorus when Harrowheart lets her go again, latching on lightly to his arm and failing to notice the younger Durant's double take at the small gesture.

The quiet agreement to get the other two back is met with a smile and a nod of approval from Isidor. They'll bide their time and pick the perfect moment. Let them think they've gotten away with it.

"Oh we must do a rollercoaster!" Runa is as adamant as she is bouncy, unperturbed by the automaton waving its skeletal hands at her as she passes. She catches Isidor's expression and hastily adds, "If you're all right with one."

Isidor shrugs, quick to brush off any accusation. "I was just giving Harrowheart a break. He looked like he needed one after the Waltzer."

Runa is quick to turn to Harrowheart hopefully. "But you are happy to go on a rollercoaster now?"

Isidor suggests Harrowheart needed a break and he laughs in an overwrought way that only confirms his self-consciousness. "Me? A break? My constitution is IRON! I'll ride anything! Twice! Even a rollercoaster!"

He follows along for a silent second or two before he thinks to ask, "Is a rollercoaster what those big ol' minin' cart tracks are?"

There's some slight hesitance in his tone... Maybe he didn't think his bold statement all the way through. Still, Runa wants to get her thrills on the Death Carts, and who is he to deny her? He puts on a smile for his two youngest friends and nods encouragingly to Runa to assure her that's what he wants to do. It's only when he's sure Viatorus and Runa don't have their eyes on him that he grabs Isidor's shoulder and worriedly wheezes. He may have made a grave error!

The overenthusiastic response ensures that Runa's smile is wide and bright and she nods rapidly to his question. "Yes! They're so fast and fun!"

Viatorus smiles and nods, certain that whatever nervousness Harrowheart may be feeling is closer to anxious excitement than anything else. After all, there's nothing the death knight can't handle… right?

Of the three, only Isidor looks unconvinced by Harrowheart's bravado, and her suspicions are confirmed when he breaks his facade once he's safely out of the limelight. She tries, and fails, not to smirk. It's a good distraction from her own nerves. She only basks in her amusement for a short time before leaning in and asking quietly, "Do you need an out? I have to do it. I can't leave Viatorus alone. But I can give you a way out."

Harrowheart shakes his head quickly. "You kiddin'?" he says, then elbows Isidor lightly in the side. "If you're goin', I'm goin'. After all, if I'm not there who'll make you look brave in comparison?" He pauses for a gentle smile, then looks in the direction of the most prominent coaster.

"Just... Think of it as gryphon-ridin' training. Hold on tight and let it take you where it's gonna take you, and have a little faith that you won't fall off and crack your head open like an egg in a skillet."

The jab at her bravery gets a playful scowl in return, but only for a moment. Next he's giving her what he considers helpful advice. Her eyelids drop and she pulls her lips into a thin line. "Thanks," she says dryly. "That makes me feel better."

Runa has already dragged Viatorus to a rollercoaster queue and beckons for the other two to join. It isn't long before they're getting themselves seated, Runa flattening out her skirt as she sits. Isidor sits behind the two betrothed and frowns at the cart. All padded metal and not a jot of magic. How is this meant to be safe?

Padded arms come down to secure them in and Isidor starts trying her best to test how sturdy they are without catching the eye of the park employees. In front of them Runa babbles away excitedly to Viatorus about how she's seen rollercoasters from afar before, and he listens as though he's attending a pleasant lecture. At least those two are having fun.

"I'm not sure this is-," Isidor starts just as they begin moving. Her fingers immediately dig into the arms holding her in place and she glances over at Harrowheart. He'll be fine no matter what happens. Probably. "Whatever happens, make sure you keep a hold of the locket." Said as they start climbing upwards, she might as well be saying her goodbyes before her execution.

The more they climb, the more Runa and Viatorus discuss the view, the more Isidor struggles to save face in front of Harrowheart. She manages not to voice her numerous concerns while they get to the top of their first drop. That all changes a moment later. The instant they fall, Isidor's language becomes very loud and very colourful. The two in front might as well have coordinated their excited screams, clearly enjoying it more than their chaperone.

Somehow, seeing the rollercoaster up close was a different affair than seeing it from a distance. Far off, a person could get an idea of the scope of the whole thing – see the height, the drops, hear the screams of the riders... But up close, all that Harrowheart can really comprehend about what's in front of him is the car and the bottom of the valley of tracks it's waiting on. In a way it's comforting, being incapable of understanding exactly what he's about to be in for. He boards with car with a new sense of calm that can only bless the naive.

It's only when he sees Isidor 'fighting' her restraints that he starts to worry. He follows suit and begins to push against the arms that hold him in, and he even starts to make progress until the horrible grinding sound they make stops him. Isidor is trying not to be seen, so he assumes he'll have to do the same. This is not a ride they can escape, and all at once he remembers that – oh yes! – he was scared of this!

All he can do is nod grimly when Isidor warns him to mind the locket. He checks that it's tucked into his shirt, but just to be safe he grips the chain with one hand. He can't lose his disguise, for one thing, but mostly he's pretty sure some Durant would whoop his ass if he lost a magical artifact like this.

As the ride ascends Harrowheart makes the mistake of looking up. They're high... Awfully high...

"Isidor?" he turns to her and says, reluctance in his voice even as he rushes to get his words out before they crest the hill. "Where I come from, machines like this always explode."

And whether that's supposed to be a word of warning or his own (re)acceptance of an impending death, it's not going to stop them from falling. The coaster pauses at the top of the hill before it goes barreling down at top speed trailing screams in its wake. Harrowheart grits his teeth and keeps totally silent, eyes wide as he watches everything rushing past him in a blur. The only constant are the people around him and the tracks in front of him.

But then he realizes it really isn't that much different than riding a gryphon, except for the part where he's lashed to a chunk of metal. It's nothing like the Waltzer or the Evolution. In fact... He can see why Runa likes this. This rollercoaster is the sort of ride he can get into!

He starts to laugh and shout along with the other riders, and as more rises come his way he greets them eagerly with a broad grin. This is good. No, this is great! Before he's close to over he excitedly looks to Isidor to be sure she's enjoying herself in her yet-unexploded rollercoaster ride.

For someone who keeps Harrowheart at such a distance, Isidor is quick to take his warning (or perhaps it's a cultural exchange) to heart. It's far too late, however, and apart from giving him a set of wide, horrified eyes, she doesn't get a chance to respond with anything but a scream.

They are surrounded by a chorus of excited screeches and yells, but Isidor looks a bit like a cat who didn't mean to get onto the ride. She clutches rather desperately to the restraints keeping her safe and does her best to keep focused on her brother and not- Oh gods, she looked down. She bites her lip and breathes heavily, but whatever calming effect that has is quickly dispelled by another dive. This time, in her panic, Isidor grabs Harrowheart's arm with a vice grip. They can't both get catapulted off, or exploded, or dropped… right?

Okay, now Harrowheart's in a pickle. He's got to keep a hold of the locket with at least one hand, and he'd like to keep holding onto the ride for a little sense of security... But how can he pass up the opportunity hold her back? But if he touches her she might let him go! Light, he feels like he's fourteen and confused about girls all over again.

Oh, to Hell with waffling. He lets go of the coaster and holds tight to her hand as she clings to him, laughing harder and shouting louder now as he's subjected to gravity and looser in his seat.

When he sees that the end of the ride is in sight he still doesn't let her go unless she tries to pry herself free. Runa and Viatorus might see them like this, but that really doesn't faze him – not in this context. It's a scary ride! So he's holding onto her! Because certainly he's the one who's scared, right?

The situation doesn't sink in for Isidor until they're slowing down to stop. Now that the feeling of her imminent demise has a chance to calm down, she full understands what she reached out for in her panic. Her cheeks turn a bright red immediately and she's grateful for the need to pull the fastenings back over her head. It gives her a good reason to slip her hand out of Harrowheart's. Gods, why does she feel so nervous all of a sudden? The ride. She can blame the ride utterly and completely. Except she can't blame it for not wanting to meet Harrowheart's gaze while she steps off the ride and composes herself. She does, eventually, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and offering an uncharacteristically sheepish flash of a smile. Then it's back to setting a hand on her stomach and looking a tad nauseous.

Runa and Viatorus seem utterly oblivious to the dilemmas of the other two. In fairness, Viatorus looks happily frazzled by the ride. Runa is still giggling as she steps off, and then laughs even more at the sight of Viatorus' hair which is now extra fluffy. He must be dazed, because it takes him a second to become awkward when she steps up to try and fix it for him.

"That was fantastic fun," she declares once Viatorus' hair is semi-sensible.

"I'd ride that again, or another one," Viatorus says in agreement. "It was so… so… It was great."

"Maybe we could do something different for a bit," Isidor suggests, trying not to sound too hopeful.

Isidor's dark cheeks aren't lost on Harrowheart, but it seems almost cruel to point it out. Certainly she knows. When she finally takes her hand away and can't quite look his way again Harrowheart is sure of it. What he's less sure of is whether she's shy or shamed or disgusted, or some combination of the three.

He quickly decides not to linger on it, because lingering always takes him to the worst possible conclusion. Instead he smiles for his friends – Isidor included – and sighs in a pleasantly exhausted way. Seeing Viatorus' hair gets a big barking laugh from him and a look of fondness.

Then he puts his hand against his neck and waits a second with a thoughtfully-tilted head before his smile grows even wider. "I think that made my heart beat," he says. Without asking permission he reaches out to take Runa by the wrist and presses her fingertips against the side of his neck.

The locket makes him appear alive, but his skin is still cold to the touch. Despite his excitement there's nothing in the way of a heartbeat to feel. Yet he insists on keeping her hand there until... There it is! One powerful thump that stands out in the otherwise total stillness.

"Happens sometimes, when I get too excited." And a little ashamedly he adds, "Or drunk."

When Runa is through Harrowheart holds his hand out to see if Isidor is interested in feeling it, too. Either she takes the chance and he knows she isn't too offended by what happened on the ride, or she doesn't, and... Well, maybe they'll move onto the game stalls in a hurry.

When Harrowheart pulls her hand to his neck, Runa squeaks in surprise and then laughs, trying to calm so that she can feel for... whatever it is she's feeling. Then it happens, the thud underneath the skin. She startles and then giggles, pulling her hand back and rubbing it when Harrowheart gives it back. "Oh! That is a strange feeling."

"I didn't know you had a heart," Viatorus starts before realising what he said and becoming flustered. "I-I-I mean a-a-a living one. Obviously I-I knew you had a heart, I-I just, I didn't know..."

"That you had one that could beat," finishes Isidor, looking at Harrowheart curiously. Between Runa's comment and Harrowheart's offer, she finds herself drawn into her intrigue. It's confusing to touch such cold skin when he looks so warm, so alive. Just as she's about to say that she feels nothing, it thumps, and her eyebrows lift, her mouth quirks. "That... does feel strange."

Harrowheart laughs first at Runa, then tries to hide his chuckling at poor Viatorus. The kid knows how to say just the wrong thing at all the right times. He starts to explain, "Some of us do. The Lich King did, until he carved his o–" until Isidor lays a hand on his neck, when he abruptly stops and goes especially still.

As soon as her eyebrows rise he can't help but laugh all over again. His laughter fades away to a soft smile, but he quickly catches himself watching Isidor a little too fondly and hurries to change the subject.

"Viatorus, I'd let you feel, but I'm afraid you already touched by heart," he says in an overly-sweet voice and punctuates it with an overwrought wink.

"Now what do y'all say we go play some games and win some prizes? I wanna get a big ol' stuffed animal to hold on lonely and sleepless nights of ever-livin' damnation."

It's all right, Viatorus is able to deduce what Harrowheart meant to say. That doesn't mean he's any less shocked when he repeats, "He carved his own heart out?"

"How gruesome," Runa says with a shudder.

While they're distracted by tales of Lich Kings, Isidor catches sight of Harrowheart's expression and her cheeks burn again. She slips her hand away, grateful that the death knight is as eager to maintain appearances as she is. With his joking, she's able to summon a smirk again and she shrugs as she turns to lead the way. "If you don't, I'll win one for you."

"We have to go to the coconut shy," Viatorus tells them. "I've read about them and heard about them, but I've never seen one."

"Well come on and let's find one then," Isidor says before turning and striking into the stalls with a bounce in her step.

The coconut shy isn't hard to find with the vendor welcoming them in loudly as soon as they're in earshot (which is quite a distance with his set of lungs). Isidor pays for Runa and Viatorus to go first and they each get three balls. This way Harrowheart can stand back and watch how the game works before doing anything. He won't see what it's like to win, however. Runa's shots are far off the mark, but she laughs every time. Viatorus' are closer, one even bounces on the coconut, but it isn't enough to dislodge the target.

Isidor pats her brother on the back. "You were close." Then she pays the vendor again and hands Harrowheart three balls. "Think you can do better?"

Isidor's commentary gets an immediate smile and a little eye roll. Everything has to be a competition, but he wouldn't have it any other way. Then Viatorus says 'coconut shy' and Harrowheart repeats it in a mysterious whisper, a voice on the wind like a cultist mimicking his god. Coconut shy... He's neither read about them nor heard about them, but whatever it is, he's intrigued.

When he finds out what it really is the mystery is quickly dispelled, but he's no less happy to watch his friends give it their best. He stands with Isidor and watches Runa's first throw curiously, then claps and smiles for her attempts and Viatorus' that follow. They didn't win, but they did well! They entertained him, at least.

He knew his turn would be next but somehow it still takes him by surprise. He accepts the balls and sets two of them down on the stand. He's got to feel the weight of one, judge the distance he has to throw and the angle he's going to need. It's a few seconds of silent thought before he makes his first throw, which goes fast and hard but far to one side. He follows up quickly with the next throw, which barely grazes the hairs of the middle coconut. He's getting closer, and the next throw should do it...

But as he holds it in his hand, his arms wound up for the throw, he hesitates. His attention starts to wander from the coconuts to the barker, then to Runa, Viatorus, and Isidor. He nods seriously at his friends, one single motion that says it all: He's going to do this.

He focuses on his prey, rubs his palms against the ball one last time, and...

Totally whiffs it! Just absolutely blew his chance to impress his pals. The ball goes a little farther afield than his previous shot, but it wasn't a half-bad try.

He throws out his arms and shrugs, grinning despite his loss as he returns to his friends. "It's harder than it looks!" he warns Isidor, laughing. "Now let's see how good you do. And no cheatin'! ... Unless you hide it well," he says with a sly wink.

Edited (typos. how did i misspell 'throw' every time?) 2017-06-01 23:15 (UTC)

"Psh! I won't need to cheat." Isidor smirks playfully as she takes her ammunition and steps past Harrowheart to assume her place as coconut shy champion.

Isidor takes her time eyeing up the coconuts in front of her and considering her technique. It's all carefully considered before she takes her first throw... which is a complete dud. The twitch of her eye shows just how infuriating it is for her to watch the ball sail neatly over the coconut she was aiming for. Taking a deep breath, she aims and throws again. This time it gently grazes her target before sailing on by like the first. Her temper flares and she takes less time in aiming her last shot. She throws, and the ball bounces neatly off of the coconut. The stand wobbles and Isidor freezes, watching tensely... and then it goes still again. Her eyebrows come together and she exhales a low, slow breath.

Viatorus pats her ever so gently on the back. "It was very close..."

Her hand dives into her pocket for more money. "One more go and I can get it..."

"We could just... buy a coconut from the store later?" Viatorus suggests.

She scowls and starts pulling out notes. "That's not the point!"

Runa swoops in to save the day, bouncing around excitedly to distract the irritated patron. "There's a whack-a-mole over there! Oh! Oh! And the strongman game!" She throws Harrowheart a look to subtly ask for his help in redirecting Isidor's fervor.

Viatorus suggests buying a coconut and Harrowheart actually scoffs. It seems he's very much on Isidor's side; he'd rather see her win (the prize she ~~threatened~~ promised him) than simply buying a coconut. Runa's in luck, though, because her energy lands a critical hit on his short attention span almost immediately.

Her bouncing makes him smile right away, but when her words sink in he's not so sure. Whack a... Mole? Naw, I ain't really into hurtin' animals..." he mumbles. But... Oh, wait a second now. Strongman game? Now that is tempting. He claps his hands together and rubs his palms like a devious fly.

"Let's do the strongman game! Only condition is that I get two tries. Deal?"

"You can have as many tries as you like," Runa tells him happily before eagerly heading towards the lights of the iconic hammer game. She's getting very used to leading the pack and expecting them to follow.

"Why do you want two tries?" Isidor asks, eyeing the death knight suspiciously, but walking with the group anyway because she's curious (and she has the money). "You could probably… I mean…" She leans towards him and whispers, "You're going to beat Viatorus hands down anyway…"

Harrowheart smiles like a knowing sage and shakes his head lightly at Isidor's curiosity. "Gotta get a warmup in, ain't that right?" He nods in Runa's direction then and waves for Isidor to follow as he picks up the pace to catch up with their younger companions.

At the strongman stand Harrowheart waits for some generous patron to pay his way before his hubris gets the better of him and he ushers all of his friends off to the side. He'll be stepping up first, thank y'all very much. He picks his mallet – the largest one available, of course – and squares up to the target.

But after a little butt-wiggling he can't quite find his center. He sets the mallet down and reaches behind his neck to tug off his tanktop, leaving him a shirtless, Godless heathen bare-chested for the whole of England (and a Swede) to see. He tosses his shirt at Viatorus and doesn't wait to see if he catches it before he gets to making an embarrassing show of stretching. Arms up, arms out, look at Isidor, bend at the waist, limber up, flex the biceps, look at Isidor...

Finally he picks up the mallet again. He stands there before the target with his scar-hatched back to his friends and he starts to widen his stance. Shoulder width... No, wider. Wider than that. Way wider. He raises the mallet above his head, juts his rump out like a fool, and brings the hammer down with great speed... Only to stop it a few inches before the target and ever-so-gently tap it. The gauge moves a few inches at most, just enough to qualify ~~Harrowheart~~ Wolfgang for the smallest of consolation prizes: A cheap plastic goldfish with buggy little eyes that aren't quite painted right. He beams like a proud father at his dearest little fish before he carefully stows it in one of the many pockets of his shorts.

He trades his heavy mallet then for a medium one, and without a moment's hesitation lifts it above his head with both strong arms and slams the ever-loving unholy fuck out of the target. The gauge rises as it should have in the first place and hits the bell at the top, which gives a satisfying ding. Harrowheart puts on a serious expression and golfclaps for himself as the ringing of the bell dissipates, and then he chooses his prize: A completely round plush dragon with stubbly little arms and legs and a short, floppy tail jutting from its fat little body. A wisp of cloth hangs out of its snout like a tongue, giving it a lovably dopey look.

He takes his place by his friends and without looking Isidor's way he shyly mutters, "I won this for ya..."

That's when he reaches into his pocket and hands her the fish.

Forays into the Land of Fun - Bringing westfallcorndog to a Funfair

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