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

[heirtothedragonsfire]

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?"

Comments

[heirtothedragonsfire]

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."

[westfallcorndog]

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."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

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.

[westfallcorndog]

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.

[heirtothedragonsfire]

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?

[westfallcorndog]

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?

[heirtothedragonsfire]

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.

[westfallcorndog]

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.

[heirtothedragonsfire]

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."

[westfallcorndog]

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."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

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?"

[westfallcorndog]

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.

[heirtothedragonsfire]

"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.

[westfallcorndog]

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?"

[heirtothedragonsfire]

"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…"

[westfallcorndog]

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.

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Viatorus is, unsurprisingly, happy to stand aside and watch, hands folded neatly as he waits for Harrowheart to get ready. After paying for a few goes, Isidor joins Runa and her brother by the sidelines, folding her arms and looking pre-emptively unimpressed and amused. None of them quite expect him to take off his shirt. Viatorus, being a young gentleman, is not accustomed to having clothes thrown at him. He doesn't move to catch the shirt as it's thrown, and it lands on his head, slowly falling down to reveal the utter shock on the scholar's face. Runa just about hides a snort and Isidor wrestles with her expression, lips twisting as she restrains her own laugh (or maybe annoyance? She's not sure). The patron is all set to begin vocalising her disproval when she realises that Harrowheart is already being embarrassing enough without her giving him a public dressing down. She sees him showing off, and she knows who it's for, but that makes her all the more determined to hide any hint of interest. It's only when he's not checking where she's looking that she'll look him up and down, taking in scars and all.

With slow, bemused motions, Viatorus picks up the shirt and straightens just in time to see Harrowheart's first 'attempt'. All three of them are confused by the poor show. Why would he do that? Why didn't he hit it? They all know he's stronger than that. Of the three of them, Runa looks particularly disappointed, though she tries to hide it. So when he takes his second, more serious turn, she cheers happily and she and Viatorus clap, a pleased audience.

Isidor is still busy carefully gauging how impressed to look when Harrowheart comes over. She almost looks alarmed when he speaks, but the sight of the plastic fish sets her at ease. Just like that they're back into the game she knows how to play. She smirks as she accepts it, examining it and then looking at him. "Is this so that if I ever start to think you're a mature and sensible adult I can look at this and remember you're a prankster?"

They can talk while Runa excitedly has a go at the game and Viatorus watches her curiously. She doesn't manage to ring the bell with her first excited attempt so she stops to discuss strategy with Viatorus.

[westfallcorndog]

After Runa and Viatorus get in their cheers for him Harrowheart snags his shirt back and slips it on, though it's something of a challenge with a fat dragon plush in one hand. He's got to hand it to Isidor to hold while he returns to being a properly-dressed member of society.

Hearing Isidor speak, hearing her tease him so bluntly and yet so (he imagines) fondly, brings him a wry little grin. He shrugs one shoulder and playfully replies, "Maybe it's to remind you that I can be both fun and gentle when my shirt comes off."

He takes himself by surprise with his own boldness and in a fleeting moment of self-awareness he crosses his arms over his chest and looks away while he works up the courage to say something again. First, of course, comes a little nervous laugh, and then a tentative glance her way. "Or maybe I just wanted to make sure you won somethin' this time."

He's still a tiny shred too shy to look at her fully, but Runa and Viatorus provide a good distraction. Maybe a good change of subject, too. Watching the two scheme on war strategies brings him a soft smile, and he finds it finally makes him brave enough to properly look her way again.

"It's cute," he says quietly, nodding toward the two in the subtlest way he can. "Seein' 'em work together. I think they're havin' a real good day. A few years from now they're gonna look back on this and realize how special it was. The first day they really had fun together, y'know? The first time they got to be a team." His smile turns a little proud as he says, "And you made it all happen. Not just..." he motions vaguely at the park around them. "This. But..." Again, a tiny nod their way. "That. Them. Two people happy together. Maybe even forever."

The thought of it all gets him nodding.

"It's sweet and beautiful, and it's all because of you. You really do great things, Isidor."

It feels right to give her a second to herself after that, and for a moment it would seem he's done speaking... And then that cheeky smile crosses his lips, and though he tries to fight it he can't help watching her from the corner of his eyes as he says, "Even if you can't win the coconut shy or make that bell ring."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Well that was… forward. Isidor's cheeks go bright red and she clears her throat, hands tucking loose strands of hair away to distract from her blush. The sudden shyness goes both ways, and she's happy to avoid eye contact while she struggles to quiet her inner panicked flutter. Naturally, she's good at hiding it, but for her slight fidgeting with the plastic fish in her hands.

Harrowheart's thoughts on the young couple is a good distraction. His sentiments are kind, sweet, but his words bring a frown to her brow. It doesn't feel like she did anything helpful. She tore apart the virtues of so many other potential brides that her parents had finally limited her input by the time Runa was suggested. Would she have turned Runa away if she'd had the option? Probably. It was habit at this point, wasn't it? Even moreso after all the badness that had followed Viatorus' recent forays into romance. She didn't do anything. She only stopped things.

She's about to say something to dispute his praise when he comes out with that final, outrageous suggestion. In true Isidor fashion, she levels him a narrow eyed glare of defiance, shoves the fish into his hands to hold for her and marches past Runa and Viatorus. The way she fixes the game with a determined stare tells the couple all they need to know, and they step back next to Harrowheart again. Isidor stands there for a minute, looking the game up and down before taking off her jacket, leaving her with a sleeveless black top. Far more freedom to swing that way.

"W-We were thinking that it's best if you use momentum to help you get more force," Viatorus suggests helpfully.

Runa is a little more enthusiastic in her cheer. "Jump up and then hit it! Give it everything you've got!"

"I know how to swing an axe, I know how to swing a hammer," Isidor tells them both. She picks up the medium mallet, stands with her feet apart and one foot back to brace herself for the swing. Like Harrowheart, she gets her aim sorted first, and then, when she's ready, swings the mallet in a large circle with a heavy handed drop. She might as well be chopping wood, but she growls as if she's in a fight. The gauge jumps up… but despite the impressive swing it only reaches a little above the halfway mark. The fair employee enthusiastically offers her a plush neon orange snake with a strip of felt for a tongue, but this does little to ease her obvious irritation and likely disappointment… She still accepts it, though.

[westfallcorndog]

That glare she gives him... It only adds fuel to Harrowheart's mischievous fire. His smile turns a little more smug and so much more amused. He wants to see this. No, he has to see this. He gladly takes that fish back for a chance to see Isidor step up to the plate.

"Uh oh," Harrowheart says to Runa and Viatorus, "The jacket's off, she's serious now." Then Runa has to go and suggest Isidor take a flying leap and he can't help but laugh and rustle her hair fondly. "It's a good idea," he whispers hurriedly. He wouldn't want her to think he's laughing at her rather than with her.

Watching Isidor's strike is a much more serious matter. He looks about as thoughtful and stoic as one can when holding a fat dragon plush and a plastic fish as he considers her form, her tactics... Her power! He's not sure what exactly he expected, but he's certainly surprised to see her move the gauge so far. Right away he starts to clap and grins at Runa and Viatorus to be sure they're cheering, too.

"Isidor!" he shouts when she receives her prize. "You did great! Your form was amazing!" With a little laugh he adds, "You looked like an executioner. Can I say that in a good way?"

And then with a surprised expression he lifts up his stuffed dragon and looks at it with shock and concern. Harrowheart tilts his head so that his ear is close to its stumpy little snout and asks, "Huh? What's that?... Oh! Isidor, it's your Great Great Grandad, Grandpa Nandy! He says that out of eeeevery Durant in history who's ever played the strongman game, you hit it hardest! He says..." He stops to listen to unspoken words from the plush's mouth, nodding with a grave seriousness as he does. Eventually he takes his ear away from the dragon and reports, "He says you're the best Durant since the very first one hatched outta their egg. And he says he wants a smooch."

He holds the dragon puffball by its back and mimes it waking through the air toward Isidor. He's smiling at his own joke all the while, which makes it hard to tease in a squeaky voice, "Kiss your Grandpa Nandy, dearie. It's your reeeaaal priiiize~"

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Harrowheart's loud enthusiasm almost dispels Isidor's annoyance at the let-down of not ringing the bell. It's not obvious, but she does look less dour about it... Right up until he starts making the toy dragon 'talk'. The look of horror and confusion is certainly one Harrowheart's never seen before. It's one Isidor probably hasn't ever had to make before. This is a social faux pas on a level she hasn't yet encountered and she looks a little like an angry cat caught in the headlights.

Leaning away slowly from the toy, she looks from Harrowheart to 'Grandpa Nandy' and back again like this is a surefire sign of a deep madness. "You do know I'm not five, don't you?"

[westfallcorndog]

Harrowheart expected Isidor might not outwardly enjoy that kind of foolery, and he certainly thought she'd make a show of disapproval, but he didn't think it would be so... So... Real.

His eyes widen with the painful realization that his playfulness has really only embarrassed him and wasn't amusing in the slightest to Isidor Briar No-Fun Durant. Light, his mouth feels so dry. He feels so watched.

He looks down, not quite at the ground but somehow through it, and quietly stammers, "I-it's a... Joke, 'cause... I-it's outta place to act... Like that... Which... Makes it... Funny?..."

No. No it does not.

He turns his fearful, remorseful, utterly mortified expression to Runa, desperate for some help. Say something, suggest something, move them someplace, woman, just do it fast. Please.

[heirtothedragonsfire]

The other two, naturally, had been watching and are both very much aware of the awkwardness hanging in the air. Well. Viatorus is a little surprised by Harrowheart's wilted response. Somehow he doesn't quite understand why his friend is so bothered by Isidor's characteristically sharp retort. Maybe he just hasn't been around her long enough.

Runa, on the other hand, receives Harrowheart's silent 'mayday' loud and clear. She steps towards Isidor, almost between her and Harrowheart, steering her attention elsewhere as she points. "Isidor, I know you don't seem to like heights, but could we go on the ferris wheel? Only if you're happy to, of course, but I would love to see the whole fair from a birds eye view."

Steered by the Swede, Isidor looks at the ride poking up from the horizon. The thoughts of going up high somewhere make her hesitate and thoroughly distracts her. "I don't see why not..."

"Maybe we should get food first," Runa says thoughtfully then, casting her eye around the stalls.

[westfallcorndog]

Harrowheart smiles hopefully at the suggestion of food. Runa has saved his soul and he is unworthy, and more importantly she's talking about eating, his most illogical of undead pastimes.

"I'd love to try some food," he says with a quiet hopefulness. "I only ever had real Earth food from Earth once, and I was sorta... Not myself then. Everything was real good, though! Better than if I'd been me. Everything only tastes half-good these days. All the food I ate last time I was here was all made by the Durants' chefs. Runa, have you had dinner at their place yet? You get tons and tons of little tiny plates, but when you're done it's kinda like you had one regular meal? But with more flavors! If you ain't tried eatin' like that before, you're gonna love it, believe me."

And just like that the shame he'd felt moments ago is (mostly) gone. Food is the great unifier, it's a universal truth.

He smiles slightly and shakes a finger at her as he walks them toward the smell of the food stalls. "Did I forget to tell you that my family loved the desserts you made? The rolls and the pie? They all thought they were amazing. They wanna meet you real bad, but they're gonna try and steal your recipes if they get the chance. If they're secret you better have a good excuse!"

[heirtothedragonsfire]

It wouldn't be proper for Runa to interrupt Harrowheart's waxing poetic about the Durant dinner just to say that she's dined like that before. So instead she smiles, happy for his happiness. A moment later and she's laughing and blushing. "Oh I am happy to hear that! I didn't know what they would like, or if they were allergic to anything... I would love to bake with your family some day."

They approach a part of the funfair which seems filled with food stalls of different kinds. There are chips and burgers, hot dogs and soups. There are also toffee apples and candy floss, doughnuts and popcorn. Runa decides on a hot dog, Viatorus insists on only getting candyfloss, and Isidor (after some serious deliberation) gets curry chips.

The patron tests out her wooden fork on the chips as she turns to Harrowheart. "What would you like, 'Wolfgang'?"