[challenge 187] - test your strength
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kh_drabbleChallenge: 187 - Strength
Title: Test Your Strength
Word Count: 533
Notes: I haven't written in a few months, but this has been on my mind for a while.
***
Naminé nibbled at the last pieces of the cotton candy Axel had handed her before he went off to try another ride. It was sweet… and very sticky. Her fingertips were coated in bits of wet sugar—she snuck a quick lick, before tossing the empty stick a nearby trash bin.
She watched as Axel and the other riders dangled upside down on a sort of short rollercoaster, consisting only of a loop. She was too short to ride—not that she was complaining. The very idea made her stomach flip.
But she did try some rides. She rode the carousel – sat on a simple white bench probably meant for parents, giving a little wave and cracking a smile every time Axel behaved like an overreactive parent as she passed. They sat together inside spinning strawberries, and she turned the wheel so quickly, she was sure his face had turned slightly green. The ferris wheel started out fun, but by the time they made the first full circle, Naminé’s face was buried in his shirt—heights were too much.
“Hey, Naminé!”
She turned, watching as Axel approached from the exit line of the ride. He smoothed down his hair as best he could. “You sure you don’t want to try it?” He asked, though he was already aware of the answer, and began leading her towards a line of game stalls. “So, do you want a bear or a frog?”
She gave him a questioning look.
“A bear—“ he gestured towards group of toys hanging nearby, “—or a frog?”
“Um,” she said, looking away. “… a bear?” She looked back, and watched him scan the games over. He tapped his finger lightly against his lips, murmuring to himself.
“Hmm… that’s the one, I think. C’mon, I’ll win you the big one.” He gently took her shoulder, weaving her in between the crowds and trash bins.
TEST YOUR STRENGTH, the sign read. An over-sized hammer hung from the side of the game, an almost thermometer shaped contraption. She watched as Axel handed the man running the booth a bill or two. He raised the hammer, slammed it down with gusto, and she followed the black bar as it rose past the levels--
WEAKLING
GIRLY MAN
AVERAGE JOE
MUSCLE MAN
TOUGH COOKIE
--it stopped and dropped, a few levels short of the top. She didn’t catch what Axel said to the man—probably wasn’t appropriate, judging by his face—but she accepted the small bear he dropped into her arms with a smile. A small bear was easier to carry, anyway.
-
Naminé crawled into her bed, pulling up the covers.
They would both probably be punished in the morning – she wasn’t allowed to leave The World That Never Was, especially not with Axel, and especially not for something as useless as a carnival trip.
Axel said nothing as he went to leave the room, grabbing the door handle to shut it as he left.
“You know…” She began, softly.
He paused, not bothering to turn around.
“Those games are probably rigged, anyway.”
Axel snorted, shut the door softly, and Naminé drifted off to sleep with the bear clutched in her arms.
Title: Test Your Strength
Word Count: 533
Notes: I haven't written in a few months, but this has been on my mind for a while.
***
Naminé nibbled at the last pieces of the cotton candy Axel had handed her before he went off to try another ride. It was sweet… and very sticky. Her fingertips were coated in bits of wet sugar—she snuck a quick lick, before tossing the empty stick a nearby trash bin.
She watched as Axel and the other riders dangled upside down on a sort of short rollercoaster, consisting only of a loop. She was too short to ride—not that she was complaining. The very idea made her stomach flip.
But she did try some rides. She rode the carousel – sat on a simple white bench probably meant for parents, giving a little wave and cracking a smile every time Axel behaved like an overreactive parent as she passed. They sat together inside spinning strawberries, and she turned the wheel so quickly, she was sure his face had turned slightly green. The ferris wheel started out fun, but by the time they made the first full circle, Naminé’s face was buried in his shirt—heights were too much.
“Hey, Naminé!”
She turned, watching as Axel approached from the exit line of the ride. He smoothed down his hair as best he could. “You sure you don’t want to try it?” He asked, though he was already aware of the answer, and began leading her towards a line of game stalls. “So, do you want a bear or a frog?”
She gave him a questioning look.
“A bear—“ he gestured towards group of toys hanging nearby, “—or a frog?”
“Um,” she said, looking away. “… a bear?” She looked back, and watched him scan the games over. He tapped his finger lightly against his lips, murmuring to himself.
“Hmm… that’s the one, I think. C’mon, I’ll win you the big one.” He gently took her shoulder, weaving her in between the crowds and trash bins.
TEST YOUR STRENGTH, the sign read. An over-sized hammer hung from the side of the game, an almost thermometer shaped contraption. She watched as Axel handed the man running the booth a bill or two. He raised the hammer, slammed it down with gusto, and she followed the black bar as it rose past the levels--
WEAKLING
GIRLY MAN
AVERAGE JOE
MUSCLE MAN
TOUGH COOKIE
--it stopped and dropped, a few levels short of the top. She didn’t catch what Axel said to the man—probably wasn’t appropriate, judging by his face—but she accepted the small bear he dropped into her arms with a smile. A small bear was easier to carry, anyway.
-
Naminé crawled into her bed, pulling up the covers.
They would both probably be punished in the morning – she wasn’t allowed to leave The World That Never Was, especially not with Axel, and especially not for something as useless as a carnival trip.
Axel said nothing as he went to leave the room, grabbing the door handle to shut it as he left.
“You know…” She began, softly.
He paused, not bothering to turn around.
“Those games are probably rigged, anyway.”
Axel snorted, shut the door softly, and Naminé drifted off to sleep with the bear clutched in her arms.
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