[2-5] The Carnival

[Gin Yatreg]

The carnival seemed to be moderately large, about the size of a mall parking lot from Gin’s estimate. With how large it was, the staff area would prove difficult to find, especially with how run down the carnival was. “Maybe we outta find a map, it would be easier to find our way around with one,” he said to his companion.

“We’ll probably find one while we walk around, let’s go.” Remilia said as she resumed her walk, with Gin close behind her.

The cobblestone road they were on led straight to the center of the carnival. During the walk, Gin glanced at all the booths and stands that lined the street as they passed by. Vines and ivy had begun ensnaring the small booths, covering the bright sun bleached colors with their vivid green. As they passed a shooting game, he noticed the stuffed animal prizes on the shelves inside. Their stitches had begun to un-mend, with their white stuffing leaking out through the cracks like an open wound. They then passed an octopus ride, covered in rust from the years of neglect. The only parts left relatively untouched were the happy face of the octopus mascot, which looked surprisingly new, and the plastic cars where the passengers sat. 

Gin looked down to the end of the road, and saw it open up into what looked to be a small clearing, somewhat like the town square of the carnival. A Merry-Go-Round in the middle seemed to mark the dead center of the carnival, although time was still not kind to it. From this distance, the horses appeared to be warped and misshaped.  Like they all had something stuck inside them protruding from their skin.

“Hey, there’s a map.” Remilia said, pointing to a plastic sign on the side of the road.

The two walked up to the map to finally get some directions. From what Gin could see, there were five big top tents, all evenly spaced apart around the entire area in the same way the corners of a pentagon would be.  The concession stands and booths filled the areas in between, with most of the rides towards the center of the ‘pentagon’ in a circle. On the sign was also the name of the carnival, ‘Bergen’s Traveling Carnival’, it said in bold letters.

“Great, we got a map. Grab it and take it with us.” Remilia ordered Gin.

“Wait, what? It’s a sign, how am I going to take it with us?” Gin asked.

“Don’t question me; just take the map with us.” Remilia said as she began to walk away again.

“Wha-Hey, wait for me!” Gin shouted. He looked at the sign wondering how he was going to even get it out of the ground. “Oh fuck it.” He said before breaking the sign off its pole with a punch of his Shield Fist. He tucked the map under his arm and caught up with Remilia.