2019-12-15 - Just Lie Back and Think of England

It had been a long time coming, but finally the day had come for roller coasters. Geoff and Harper had loaded up into his pickup in the early morning and set out towards the Wild Waves park. Snacks had been had, kisses had been shared, and parking spot had been secured. So it is that the two ended up in line for the park, Geoff wearing his typical modest attire flashes a grin at Harper "You hear that, you can hear people screaming from in there." In actuality the pop music blaring from the speakers is just a bit much to hear screams of merriment and the thrilling rides are just a bit too far back, but still.

Denim jacket, red tee shirt, scarf looped around her neck a couple times, old jeans that fit like she's worn them forever: Harper has been simmering with excitement since they left Gray Harbor. Her eyes dance with anticipation as she looks around at the other folks in line and what she can see of them past the gates and in the park itself. Harper grins at the suggestion of screaming from the speakers. "Have I told you in the last five minutes how happy I am that we're doing this?" Her purse hangs diagonally across her torso from one shoulder to the other hip. A quick kiss to Geoff's cheek. The line moves forward. They pay admission, get tickets and handstamps and all sorts of things that tend to be reserved largely for the teenage set. As they cross the front of the park, Harper breathes in the smell of popcorn and salt-water taffy, of corndogs and freshly made waffle cones. "Did you ever come here when you were younger, or is this a virgin trip?" Pushing her dark hair back behind one ear she grins at Geoff, tipping her brows up with the question.

Geoff is eager, all but rushing forward to get into the park, a broad grin on his features "No I don't think you've mentioned just how happy you are in the last five minutes. Six minutes maybe, but definitely not five." Leaning in he presses a kiss to her brow "This is my first time coming here, I couldn't go as kid." looking about he scans over the stalls as his hand slips down to take Harper's and give a squeeze "So I kind of want to get started on some of the rides first. Maybe do a few and then we can see what sort of snackage we need. That or maybe corndogs." his gaze going back over to linger on the corndogs "But I know one thing is for sure, we're not leaving till I've won you a prize from one of their rigged carnival games."

It might not have seemed possible for Harper to brighten from her full-out exuberance, but Geoff confirming what she suspected from his youth? Well, that doesn't make her pleased for young Geoff, but it teases a whoop of excitement for the one beside her now. Just give her a minute to let it all out. "Definitely rides first. You totally get to choose. Whichever you have the burgeoning desire to conquer first. Roller-coaster. Rollercoasters, really. I think there are a couple. Bumper cars. The Scrambler is fun. The Octopus will definitely make your head spin." It's very likely that Harper has given the rides her own names. She continues happily, "Ferris wheel. For some reason I've been thinking about ferris wheels quite a bit over the past month." Geoff and his lascivious promises. "There's a boat ride in the dark, too. Like a knock-off of Pirates of the Caribbean. But it's still fun. It's, like, an 'under the sea' theme and there's black lights, or there used to be. I think they added a bungee sling type ride, too. And the rocking ship ... that'll get you right in the gut." Harper goes on listing off attractions she remembers, grabbing Geoff's hand and lifting it for a brush of her lips against his knuckles. "Or, I mean --" The librarian takes a deep breath and forces herself to calm a bit, to slow down and knock her enthusiasm down a few notches. "There are ducks. We could, ah, feed the ducks." She can't even look at Geoff when she says this, though she does brighten at the promise of all the terrible-for-you food. And winning her a prize? She skips up a step in front of Geoff and twirls around to face him. "You're going to win me something?" High-school Harper mentally squeees. "If you insist, I guess I wouldn't mind. So? Name your poison, Turner." People stream around them in multiple directions, jostling, bickering, laughing, grumbling because they're trying too hard to have a good time rather than simply having a good time. Harper's an island in that mixed current, not quite holding her breath to see what tickles Geoff's fancy.

Geoff listens to the list of amusements that Harper proposes, entirely serious and giving it the entirety of his attention and problem solving facilities. With a burgeoning grin and look that suggests he has solved this problem he laughs easily and from the heart as he leads Harper by the hand deeper into the park "I'm thinking we need to start out strong, let's go with the roller coaster. While ducks are fascinating I am not thinking we will have time for them in the fun we are going to have." with a wink to her he adds "We can write the amusement park a letter later and ask them to give it to the ducks as an apology for not visiting them." As they walk he casually relates "And then from there I think it is going to be whatever nearest and looks fun, or whatever looks cool." with an gesture he shares in a low voice "I found the solution, it doesn't matter what we do because it's going to be fun. There can't be any regrets, and if we miss something it just means I get to keep taking you here till we've had our fill."

Harper regards Geoff with a bit of a wry look when she finishes speaking, seemingly aware of her extra enthusiasm. But he grins. Oh, the power of that grin. He catches her hand and pulls her back into motion through the frenetic crowd. "Excellent choice," Harper replies as Geoff chooses the ride they've been bantering about since the night there was first Tequila. His commentary about the letter for the ducks makes Harper laugh, a surprised roll of amusement. "I'd feel sorry for the ducks, but they get to eat all the scraps of junk food people drop and discard. I'm sure they're very happy ducks. Happy ducks with digestive systems of steel." He continues with his plan. "The spontaneity strategy. That's a good one. And it allows for all sorts of unexpected opportunities." She smiles a secretive bit of a smile as they approach the line for the first coaster. The line isn't so long as one might suspect. "Tell me you've ridden a roller coaster before," she abruptly demands, turning to gaze up at those green eyes. "This isn't your first roller-coaster, too, is it?" Amusement park? That makes sense. A ride, however? Harper's delicate brow furrows as she abruptly reconsiders what Geoff's life experiences may or may not have been since he got out of prison. Surely he has ridden one. For god's sake, there are roller coasters of a sort in Las Vegas. She tips her head as she watches him and the line moves forward slowly. They can now see where people are disembarking from the coasters as they return and then others climb on from the other side.

Geoff casually mentions "I've been on one roller coaster, but it wasn't really the best, and it was in a dream so I'm not sure if that counts." There is an eager anticipation in Geoff's countenance as they work their way through the line "Have I mentioned how much I've been looking forward to doing this with you? Pretty sure it's going to be the best thing ever." He tries to look to Harper as they talk but his eyes keep wandering back to the roller coaster before them, and then it is their turn to board the train and they get seats right up towards the front. Snugging the restraints on, and hearing the click and soft hiss of a pneumatic release they are secured into place and not going anywhere till the ride is done.

"Then this is far more significant of an occasion than I realized," Harper replies slowly. There is screaming now and then as a coaster curves around the angled turn closest to where the line passes. The doppler effect makes listening that much more fun. "So what you're telling me," she starts just before they're directed to climb into the car. Restraints are pulled down and Harper's brown eyes sparkle. "Can't get out now," she teases, then goes back to her other line of thought as they jerk forward. " -- you're telling me this is your first time." The coaster swings around a curve that leads into the click-click-clicking of the belt that pulls them up the first drop. "I don't think it'll be gentle. I'm just saying. Hold on and let it happen, Turner." Harper doesn't have any belief that Geoff is in any way frightened by the ride. But it's so much fun to play with fear on a rickety, tier 2 park coaster like this. Sensation tingles in the belly as the distance back down to the ground, the park, the milling crowds just grows and everything gets smaller and smaller. They can see past even the park as they near the top, city, forest, Mount Rainier looming farther away. Harper reaches over and squeezes Geoff's thigh before preparing to stretch her hands in the air to enhance the thrill of the falling sensation of the first drop. She stomps her sneaker-clad feet a few times at the base of the car they're in.

There's that hovering sensation as the coaster slowly crests the rise of the ultimate fall and seems to hesitate before gravity grabs the front and gives it a yank that pulls the stomach up into the throat. Harper's hands are in the air and she's screaming her lungs out as they fall, and fall, and fall only to dip into spiralling curve that turns them on their sides, centripetal force pushes them down in their seats far more than the restraints do. Then there's a loop and the world slowly flips on its head before sliding back to normal as they rush through. Now Harper's laughing, a carefree, adrenalin fueled delight that rises with each bump, turn, bend, flip. Her hair streams back in the wind. Regularly, she tips her gaze to Geoff to her right and delights in his enjoyment of it all.

Soon. Far too soon, they're rolling to an air-braked speed that leaves a person abruptly wondering where the wind against their skin went. People sigh as the coaster slowly rolls through the tracks that will take them to where they get out and let the next riders take their places. When it's over, Harper doesn't speak. She doesn't want to steal away any of the experience from Geoff. She catches her breath, sighs along with most of the rest of the riders, popping up to her feet when the restraints rise up and chasing Geoff out of the car. She grabs his hand and waits for his verdict silently, delight inherent in every bit of her from the kick to her jaunty steps all the way up to her windblown hair and rosy cheeks.

Geoffnods slowly, "Got it, it's not going to be gentle and I should just lay back and think of England." With another nod that is slightly lurched forward with the jolt of initial movement, he climbs the hill with baited breath, not daring to release it till they are heading downwards. Hands shooting up into the air he lets out a holler of enjoyment that is plastered just as much on his features for the rest of the ride.

As the ride slows down and they come back to the station, he is quiet and picks himself up to climb back out onto the docking platform, offering Harper a hand out of the car before breaking back out into that wide grin that barely leaves his features before it is back again today "That's was so fucking good, I want to ride it again but I don't, you know? Like I want to keep this fresh and not overload the moment with more of it." licking his lips he looks over to her and says "I think I spotted some bumper cars on the way in. I do believe I promised I'd let you hit me in bumper cars."

Lie back and think of England. Harper laughs at that. Between the fact that they've left Gray Harbor behind and Geoff's incomparable company, this may be the most light-hearted she's felt in a long, long time. Harper places her hand in the one Geoff offers as she climbs out of the coaster and walks along beside him. He's probably watching where they're going, which is good since Harper can't drag her eyes away from Geoff's face, his expression, the way he speaks the words. "I'm so glad you enjoyed it." Enjoy isn't quite the word, but he knows what she means. "We'll ride it again. I promise it's a little different each time. Sometimes sitting in the back is fun too, if you don't mind getting thrown around a little. I just wish I'd known in time to demand a front seat for you. But yeah. Right now let's let it jangle around in your mind for awhile." Laughing quietly, she lifts up on her toes to kiss his cheek and finally glances in the direction they are walking.

"You did. You promised," she agrees about hitting him repeatedly with a bumper car. "I may have been inebriated at the time, but I still have the inclination. It won't be the same as driving a runaway city bus with reckless abandon, but it'll be fun." She tangles her fingers with his and meanders beside him before sharing a memory that isn't the sort she'd normally share. "When my dad and I used to come, we'd each take a bottle of water and uncap it and hold it between our knees while we smashed into people. We usually ganged up on the most overly-serious, muscled person we could find and tried to hit him from opposite sides at the same time. And afterward, the one of us with the least spilled water won." She lowers her voice. "You have to be careful with that, though. Having drinks on rides isn't allowed." It's not so much something she's asking Geoff to do as the significance of her being willing to share a precious childhood memory from when her father was alive. Here. Now. With Geoff. "You're muscled. But you're not taking things too seriously. I'll just have to adjust my motivation a little bit." They arrive at the bumper cars and Harper muses, "You wanted to show teenaged Harper the mountain lake. I wish I could show teenaged Geoff the amusement park." Again, it's winter. The line isn't so very long. Soon enough they're strapping into the brightly colored and numbered cars encircled with rubber. From halfway across the arena, Harper catches Geoff's eye once he's buckled in, points two fingers to her eyes, then points to Geoff with her attempt at the threatening face that's more comical than anything.

Geoff walks along hand in hand with Harper as they meander towards the bumper cars. He's quiet as he listens to her childhood story, though his hand is warm and protective around hers throughout it, giving a little squeeze once she's finished. With a brush of his thumb against the back of her hand he promises "We'll just work through all the things we wanted to share and do in our teens and find all the things that excite and drive us now."

As they're strapping into their bumper cars he says playfully "Just going to warn you babe, I'm going to bump you back for every time you bump me or..." he trails off as his eyes alight and he spots a muscle bound man who is checking the steering wheels of the cars before finally settling on one and climbing in. Gesturing towards the other man Geoff whispers over "I think we found a good target over there, it seems he's out here with something to prove."

And then with a crackle of electricity the grid is ignited and the cars are live. With a deadset determination, Geoff homes in on the other man and for the rest of the ride seems intent on ducking and weaving and jarring into him at the most inopportune moments for him.

Harper tips her head against Geoff's shoulder at the mingling of past wants and future desires. That. She's fully in favor. He calls over to her about what sort of bumping he's going to do and she lifts her voice to reply, "Kinky, Turner." He gestures and her brown-eyed gaze alights on said Serious Big Guy and she nods, quelling a grin of her own.

Zzzt! The cars don't move nearly fast enough for Harper, but she swings around the outside of the other cars almost two hundred seventy degrees before heading straight for Mr. Big's right side. Geoff was closer and came from a much smaller angle, so he's slammed into the guy a couple of times before Harper gets there. Harper got to hit him at 'full speed' which throws him to the side a bit in his seat and he's frowning, looking up with a "..the Fuck?" spilling out quietly enough not to accost too many children's ears. Harper laughs. "Sorry! Didn't see you there." She backs up and rams straight forward right over again. "I thought you were going to move!" Mr. Big just watches her ram into him with a bewildered, not-quite irritable expression. His girlfriend's kid wanted a trip to the amusement park. He wanted to stay home, drink beer, and watch the game. Getting slammed into by, not one, but two determined 'drivers' was not on his list for the ride. She hits him a third time, this time toward the back of his car. "That green car must be sucking all the electricty your way," she calls out. That's when Geoff hits him hard. Again. He shoots more of a glare Geoff's way. The cars are beginning to get grid-locked, but Harper is determined to make her way around to slam into Geoff's car at least once.

Geoff just keeps honing in on his target to the point where he totally misses Harper who comes around and slams into his side with a thunk of car against car. Pointing to her he calls out "Oh it's on now." and begins to wheel along after her with the zeal of a man on a holy if silly mission and right as he's about to collide....The power cuts and the ride is over "Oh you're lucky there, you got saved by the ride there babe. That just means I'll have to bump you a little later." climbing out of the car he says off handedly "Maybe in the ferris wheel." And then he is heading for the exit.

Once they've regathered outside he points towards a funnel cake stand and says "Hey let's go grab a snack and plot our next move. I think it's your turn to pick a ride."

It might be that Harper likes Geoff ganging up on some broody jerk even more than she anticipated enjoying violently knocking him about in his car. She starts laughing when he threatens to return the full-car-slam. In fact she's backed up and is full-bore playing no-swerve chicken with him when the power cuts them both off and their cars both slow to gently, hardly nudge after the ride has ended. She frowns. Looks disappointed. Grumbles, but then Mr. Big is pushing past her to catch up with his waiting girlfriend at the periphery of the ride. Harper wiggles her fingers at him with a sweet smile that almost gets him to smile back before he catches himself and stalks over to his girlfriend whose daughter has also run over to after getting out of her own car. "Mom. Jerry got hit really hard by --" She points over to Geoff and Harper as they get out of their cars. "It was soooo funny!" The trio turn and leave. "Let's find a stand that sells beer," grumbles Mr. Big.

For her part Harper almost skips over to Geoff but she doesn't stop when she reaches him, she full-out runs into him with her torso with an oomph, before she laughs. "There. Got you again." Oh, but Geoff makes insinuations about the ferris wheel as they depart the covered car area and Harper blushes. She opens her mouth to say something in retort only to close it again, her fingers sliding down the inside of his arm past his wrist and over his palm to tangle with his fingers once more. Only when they're approaching the funnel cake stand does she reply, "You can bump me anytime you want, Turner."

Funnel cakes! Happy Harpers are happy. "Extra powdered sugar, please," she tells the sweating teen making the cakes. Geoff pays, but it's Harper who pulls out an extra dollar and stuffs it at the teen. There's no tip jar at an amusement park. "Thank you," she calls and turns away before the teen can explain that they're not allowed to accept tips. They find a bench to sit on and positively destroy the funnel cake until Harper is groaning about how full she is.

There are more rides. The 'scrambler' -- she calls it -- that swings them around in wide circles that throw her into him at each apex that ends up being a rotation of multiple triangular trajectories, with Harper laughing until tears roll over her cheeks, trying to breathe and only catching her breath when they stop. It's fun watching her try to walk after they get off because she keeps canting to the left unintentionally until her equilibrium is back to normal. After that it's what she calls 'the tube'. The rides all have fantastic names lit up in neon surrounded by flashing bulbs, but Harper doesn't care. This is the ride where everyone gets inside and stands with their backs to the inside wall of a cylindrical ride. It spins until the floor can lower and leave them pinned back as they spin, held against the wall. Harper plays with fire by turning her head into the spinning to look at Geoff. By the time they're off that one her cheeks are hurting from so much mirth.

After some corn dogs that Harper actually manages to eat after the filling funnel cake, she lifts a hand to brush some mustard from Geoff's lips with her thumb and then simply beckons him to lean down. "Let me get that for you." She winds her arms around his neck and kisses him thoroughly as the crowds mill around them. Only after her heart rate has tipped upward again does she let go and smile a satisfied smile at him. "I definitely like it when you eat corndogs."

She leads him to the boat ride. She was right. The old 'Under the Sea theme' is still the ride's storyline. They get their own clam-shell car (which usually seats four, but there was no line for this attraction) to sit in and watch the black lights turn the different tableaus bright colors. Fans blow to make the cellophane waves ripple. It's a relaxing ride that parents can take their kids on when they need six quiet minutes.

It's been a whirl of a day, so when they go on the boat ride Geoff doesn't seem to mind the slow down in pace. Hooking his arm on the seat along behind Harper he settles it there and cups her shoulder with his hand "This has been great Harper. It's given me a great idea." idly brushing his thumb against her shoulder he smiles and watches the under the sea storyline laughing and pointing out parts where the animatronics aren't quite right, "I've said this before, and I'll say it again. I love you Harper. This whole day is just driving it home because I'm getting to do this /with/ you." pausing he waits a moment before asking, "What's your favorite ride? I don't think I've actually asked that yet, I know you've got to have one."

Harper settles in so perfectly along Geoff's side with his arm wrapped around her. She, too, enjoys the slow-down. The chance to settle close to Geoff and just be for a bit. Once Geoff starts pointing out problems in the mechanics of the ride, they're all either of them can see. Despite her contentment, Harper is smiling, pointing, laughing, hugging an arm around Geoff's middle and leaning up to press soft affectionate kisses to his bearded cheek, his jaw, now and then his lips. "I like it when you have great ideas. I like it so much," she replies with an anticipatory smile and a slow sigh of breath. She's said it. She said it the week before they went camping. She whispers it to him all the time when she thinks he's asleep. But she doesn't say it often, otherwise. But the day has been magic. Sharing firsts and laughter and exhilaration simply makes Harper feel that much closer to the man. She turns her back to the glowing sea anenomes and gazes into Geoff's eyes in the darkness, silent for longer than is comfortable. Finally, she speaks softly, her breath sweet and close, "I love you more than anything, Geoff." After so much laughing, she's very solemn in that moment. The words themselves feel -- at least to her -- like they have a power beyond simply the speaking of them. And that's how a broken-down, cheesy, Under-The-Sea ride becomes the most romantic memory. That right there.

"My favorite ride?" Harper echoes with a thoughtful tone. I guess I never thought about which was my favorite. I mean, now? After today, it's got to be the rollercoaster. Before today? I think it was the scrambler." Triangular trajectories. "I'll tell you a secret." She whispers, utterly serious, "I used to be petrified of the ferris wheel." She nods as if to stave off oncoming disbelief. "I saw some horrible television movie once where one rolled off its center thing," A physicist Harper is not. "And killed a whole bunch of people. The seats swing and I always thought Dad and I would fall off when we got to the top. Serious heart palpitations." That said, she smiles. "Are you going to win me a prize, next?"

<FS3> Geoff rolls Melee (8 6 5 5 4 4 3 3) vs Totally Rigged Hammer Strength Game (a NPC)'s 10 (8 8 7 6 5 4 4 4 3 3 2 2)
<FS3> Victory for Totally Rigged Hammer Strength Game. (Rolled by: Geoff)

Geoff listens to that admission of love, and somehow even for him with the moment and the scenery its been engrained in him as the most romantic experience of his life. Leaning in, he brushes his lips to hers in a soft loving kiss as if to seal the magic between them. Then comes the explanation of her secret and the fact that she's scared of the ferris wheel "I promise I'll keep you close all through the ride, you won't have anything to worry about." he cracks a grin as if perhaps he could actually do something about structural issue, then again given his spirit powers he might very well be able to.

After the ride ends and they are back out onto the path he looks around and the midway section of the park is within sight, and thusly so are the heavily weighted prizes. Heading for them he says "I think I'm going to go for the strength based one first where you swing the hammer. See if I can't get that, and if not then we'll go to plan B." Whatever Plan B is he doesn't mention it as they draw closer to the test of strenght, handing over far too much money for a try. Bringing back the hammer he slams it down onto the plate and the lights light up...to just about midway before falling back down.

Neither of them will forget the boat ride. Geoff reassures her about the ferris wheel and somehow even a poorly maintained, tier two amusement park ferris wheel seems within his power to control. "Well, then. I don't have anything to be irrationally afraid of, do I?" The words are mildly ironic, still affectionate. "You do distract me from just about everything else when you keep me close," she relents afterward.

To the midway! Oh the flash and sounds and barking calls of the midway. There's a devil-may-care level of excitement here that is for kids (and some adults) what a casino is for other people. 'So you're saying there's a chance!' should be the tagline. Geoff leads her straight to feats of strength and Harper eyes the over-sized hammer and the target to hit on the ground. She's seen the man chop wood in the mountains. There's no convincing necessary here. She stands to one side and watches Geoff long enough that she almost forgets to turn her attention to the lights that result from his hit. She cups her hands to her mouth and calls at the barker, "Your game is broken. Boo." There's good humor to it. And there's something particularly delightful about getting to stand around and watch Geoff do just about anything.

<FS3> Geoff rolls Melee (7 6 6 5 4 4 3 1) vs Totally Rigged Hammer Strength Game (a NPC)'s 10 (8 8 6 6 5 5 3 3 3 3 2 1)
<FS3> Marginal Victory for Totally Rigged Hammer Strength Game. (Rolled by: Geoff)

<FS3> Geoff rolls Melee (5 5 5 5 4 3 2 1) vs Totally Rigged Hammer Strength Game (a NPC)'s 10 (8 8 8 7 7 6 5 5 3 3 2 2)
<FS3> Crushing Victory for Totally Rigged Hammer Strength Game. (Rolled by: Geoff)

Geoff scowls as he sees the game to behave as it should "This game is rigged." and with that he shoves more money at the man running the game for another try. Putting his back into he slams the mallet down into the pad with a furious fervor...And it's close this time, it really is, but still no cigar. With a grin the teen manning the booth says "Close, you've almost got it, I'm sure if you do it one more time you'll make it." with a snort Geoff shakes his head and begins to walk away before turning and giving the teen yet more money "FINE LET'S DO IT." He swings that hammer with the passion of Thor himself....And really the light doesn't really move even half as far as it did the first time. For a moment Geoff looks defeated but then he hides it very well and just shows determination "Let's go find another game."

<FS3> Harper rolls Presence+Leadership: Success (6 5 4 1 1) (Rolled by: Harper)

The second effort is a feat to behold. Harper even catches her breath at the impact. No cigar. More harassing the barker. "That's just not right!" Even the barker looks faintly embarrassed at that particular lack of success. The whole understructure of the plate shuddered at the hit. Harper's ready to walk away, but Geoff circles back around and she says, "You're wasting your money, Turner." But he's trying to win her a prize. How can she do any more than that to dissuade him? Besides, there's watching him again. And a focused hammer-heaving Geoff is always a pleasure-inducing experience on some level. The third hit. Geoff's really ready to leave this time, but Harper's now approached the teen who's running the game. She steps right into his personal space. The teen starts out with a blase expression punctuated by a smirk. They're about the same height. But she turns on her Librarian voice. "Look, kid. You tell whoever's in charge of this ... booth, that they better adjust their settings. Highway robbery is only okay on a midway if it's fun." Harper steps back, her hands settled on her hips and tips her head with a 'don't-you-have-something-to-say-for-yourself' look. Frankie, who's the barker tonight for this one, isn't smirking any longer. He wants to apologize to the nice lady who suddenly feels like his mom if she weren't drinking. What? You don't apologize to the public. With a conflicted expression he suggests under his breath to Harper, "Try the dart game. You'll like that one." Harper pivots on her heel and walks over to Geoff. "We're trying darts." And that sends them about five games down to a wall of balloons and five darts for five bucks. Ten darts for seven bucks. Watching the other people throwing darts, it doesn't look like a gimme. But there are some successes. Harper points at the giant leopard hanging in the corner. "I want that, Turner."

Geoff walks away with Harper, the conflicted expression of the teen having been balm for his raw soul. Shaking his head he says "Man I was expecting it to be rigged but I wasn't expecting it to be /that/ bad. Pretty sure that would have taken out a wall that second time." As they approach the dart booth and Harper states what she wants he nods with determination "You're getting that Leopard, she'll be hers." Apparently it is a her now. Leaning against the counter he asks the teen even as he's handing her money "So what do I have to do to win the leopard? Hit the three special balloons? Got it." and with that he takes his three darts and looks at the board and tosses the dart towards it...Sure the dart lands right beside it but strangely enough the dart pops as if it had been hit dead on. To Harper she'd be able to tell that Geoff had glimmer the balloon to pieces. Each time he throws this repeats, well except for the third time which he actually makes on his own merits. As the Leopard is handed to him by the beffudled attendant he presents it to Harper with the dignity of a returning knight handing the spoils of his conquest to his lady love.

Harper slides her hand around Geoff's arm, moves close in and walks right there beside him from the giant hammer down past other games. "Totally rigged. But so hot to watch." She smiles up at him, and even a passerby would believe she meant what she just said. "I think you almost broke the thing on the second hit." Harper and her nouns. Harper moves out of Geoff's space so he can throw the darts unobstructed. Then her gaze narrows a little and a laugh spills past her lips as she tastes his familiar Glimmer.

Pop. Pop. POP.

After the third throw she claps her hands together and bunches up her shoulders with excitement. "Finally. Sasha can come home with us. I'll feed her eggrolls and you can have your other lady." Harper wraps her arms around the cheap but giant, stuffed leopard. Then she leans in to reward her knight with the favor of a kiss in exchange for said spoils. "I could go home happy, now," she admits.

But what? No! They have to ride the roller coaster at least two more times. Geoff has to prove she's safe when he's with her on ferris wheels. And she definitely needs a large sized bag of cotton candy to bring with them for the ride home.

One by one, they do those things. The roller coaster gets three more rides. Harper actually (unnecessarily) /pays/ the ride attendant there, first to keep an eye on Sasha, but second to give them front seats. They also ride in back once for the whiplash effect. The park has a small fireworks display after it gets dark, so while people are otherwise engaged, those three rides happen as fast as they can get off, circle around, and walk back through the very short line. Sasha rides along on the ferris wheel. And there's some heavy petting that occurs on the wheel that takes Harper's mind entirely off the relative safety of their swinging seat. They somehow get to see the fireworks as they ride. Or not see them, as it were. That probably leads to jokes about causing fireworks to explode. A stop at a food vendor on the way out for cotton candy, then a question from Harper about whether he wants to do anything else before they leave. His first time. He gets whatever he wants. "Whatever you want, baby. I don't want to leave until you're completely satisfied."

Those additional roller coaster have Geoff and Harper all but running back around to get back in line and onto the cars again. The day a blur of general contentment and happiness. As they finish eating and she asks if there is anything else he wants to do he shakes his head "Actually no, I'm completely satisfied. Today has been absolutely amazing babe, and you've made it perfect for me. I can go home happy at this point. After all we don't want anything to happen to Sasha here. She needs to be safely brought home." tilting his head down to hers he looks into her eyes and simply says "Thank you."

Harper steps into Geoff's space, the toes of her sneakers not quite bumping against the tips of his shoes as she smiles up at him and listens to him describe how satisfied he is. "It was perfect for both of us. We don't always have to do new things, but this was --" Harper waves the hand not wrapped around Sasha. "-- a very special day that I'll always remember. I keep thinking you'll get accustomed to this. And then you'll get bored. So you can remind me as often as you like that you're happy. I know that both Sasha and I are pretty blissed out." She then remembers to answer the last thing he said. "You're welcome. You're always welcome. So..." They head to the truck and climb in with Sasha on the passenger side of the bench seat and Harper settled beside Geoff. That's when she continues the 'so'. " -- what did you say you were getting me for Christmas?" Tenacious. Stubborn. Terrible with surprises. Teasing with the collateral of the day, she asks the question. Absolutely playful. Then after he answers she asks, "What are you doing for New Year's Eve?"