Hearing Mademoiselle Voyles' story, I came to understand at least how complex the relationships among the four of them were. But the key point is that M. Marsh actually didn't want to go to the amusement park again, and one more person. However, what intrigued me was regarding M. Nick, whom Mademoiselle Voyles said would part ways with them and fly to Sweden. And if that happens, what about Mademoiselle Howell? Does it mean she will be left behind? Actually, this is not my concern, but if it's about parting ways, why didn't Mademoiselle Howell tell me at that time that this was their farewell?
So, I began to respond to what Mademoiselle Voyles said about their fourth meeting at MannaLand. At least, I found various similarities from the story told by M. Marsh.
"Tell me, Mademoiselle Voyles, why does it have to be in the summer? Is this some kind of ritual that must be done?"
The woman's mouth was raised as if she wanted to answer straightforwardly, but she closed it again. Her two eyes squinted while glancing to the left, indicating her hesitation.
"Is it because the first meeting was held in the summer?" I added, giving her a slight hint. Perhaps there was a connection.
"Well, actually... not-really. Now we're talking about it, I just realized that," she said.
"Besides, summer for people like you generally should prefer indoors with air conditioning, right? Except for those who have no other choice because their schoolchildren are on vacation during the summer and want to go to the amusement park?"
"Erm... makes sense," she said, nodding slightly. "Is it because maybe we have too much work, so we need a vacation?"
"Ah, perhaps!" I smiled satisfied, although in my heart, I somewhat doubted that possibility. Maybe it's not this kind of vacation they need. What they need should be more suitable for resting at home or just strolling around while enjoying small culinary delights, rather than tiring themselves on rides like this. But, everyone has their own preferences, which I myself cannot say are impossible.
Then, I asked a very puzzling question.
"What about Mademoiselle Howell? Left behind to Sweden just like that?"
"I think it's actually the opposite. Maybe, they will get married there?"
"Ah...." I nodded slightly but was actually satisfied. It all made sense.
About 20 minutes into our conversation, Feline send me message. I told her that we were near the wooden coaster clinic. Feline said they would arrive in five minutes to invite Mademoiselle Voyles to ride the Ferris wheel.
Well, I couldn't reply anything other than "please come?" Even though they came in ten minutes. Feline told me that Mademoiselle Howell was resting for a while because her body was weak again. Feline added that when she accompanied Mademoiselle Howell to the toilet, she could hear Mademoiselle Howell vomiting several times.
"Are you sure you want to ride the Ferris wheel in your current condition, Alwen?"
"That's right, hehe. I didn't think about it. Maybe after this, I'll lie down in the room and take a nap?" Mademoiselle Howell said with a slight cough. Although I was more worried because her face might be paler than Mademoiselle Voyles for now.
"Well, if you feel better, I think? But you can say anytime if you want to stop?"
"Haa... I can say the same to you, Eira," Mademoiselle Howell said, looking at the condition of her friend, Mademoiselle Voyles, with a worried look.
Feline told me that they rode three rides, two of which I had ridden before, namely Sky Drop and Pendulum. Not surprising from these people, the thrill-seekers more precisely.
"Turns out there is also a fearless female among us, sir! Among all of us, Feline doesn't feel the slightest bit afraid to ride those crazy rides. Oh my God, if only there was a little medal for this, I would give it to her right now!" M. Gill said, tilting his head towards M. Marsh, who seemed to fully agree.
I could see this cocky and arrogant slow loris looking at me when the compliment was thrown. The more her self-esteem rose, the more pointed Feline's nose looked. While grinning slightly at me. It's amusing, perhaps later I should give her a light punch like striking a match to see sparks.
"Well, actually, Miss Feline is better than I thought, sir."
"Isn't Mlle. Howell also great at this?" I asked back.
"Oh, you're too high in praising me, actually..."
Mademoiselle Howell told me that even though she looked confident riding rides like Pendulum or Sky Drop, there were times when Mademoiselle Howell kept asking her companions whether they should ride it or not.
Apparently, like Mademoiselle Howell, they needed to convince themselves. Especially about the risks after riding some of those rides. Oh, what did I think? It turns out they are just like me. It's just that they have a little more courage and confidence.
"Well, what can you do? I'm a bit curious. Especially when looking at planes spinning around while going up and down," Feline added, glancing in my direction with a feigned concerned tone. "Turns out, Mr. Cake is a bit scared, well, what can you do?"
"Oh, well, it can't be forced," sighed Mademoiselle Voyles resignedly.
"Yes, indeed, Lightning 360," Mademoiselle Howell added.
Feline was truly adorable, to the point that my hands itched to grasp and rub them on both of her cheeks until they were thin. This insult should be difficult to simply drown.
As for the Lightning 360, it was just as Feline described. The ride resembled an airplane with propellers, similar to the Flying Dumbo I had ridden before, connected by arms like an octopus. However, it was connected to a ring on a vertically moving pole, going up and down.
After that small conversation while confirming each other's conditions between Mademoiselle Howell, who turned out to be no better than Mademoiselle Voyles, we then hurried to the Ferris wheel.
The location, strangely enough, led us back to the initial position, where we were about to purchase tickets. From the ticket booth, we just headed straight towards the exit road connecting Great Yarmouth Beach. Two blocks next to the exit booth, occupied by arcade games and a haunted house.
This Ferris wheel gondola had a cylindrical shape with a birdcage-like roof, colorful with pink, purple, and cream. Unless the birdcage was surrounded by iron bars like a prison, this one was covered in glass with small circular vents at the top. The seats were arranged only in pairs, no more, and no less. One pair could sit side by side or facing each other. Only two people per queue every fifteen minutes.
The queue wasn't too long, so there was a bit of concern for the two peoples who followed us. That's because M. Marsh and Mademoiselle Voyles were looking for slushies or shaved ice mixed with sweet components like chocolate, vanilla milk, syrup, other sweeteners, and various toppings.
We divided the tasks. If I, Feline, Mademoiselle Howell, and M. Gill would secure a spot in line, while M. Marsh and Mademoiselle Voyles would buy slushies for us. This idea came from M. Marsh, which made sense. Well, maybe it is refreshing to enjoy slushies in the summer while riding a Ferris wheel?
The two couples pretended to be in the same line, then one of them left the line to buy slushies, which was M. Marsh and Mademoiselle Voyles. That way, the people behind couldn't object. Technically... um... this was not justified. But according to the written rules, it did not violate anything.
Two minutes before the six of us boarded, M. Marsh and Mademoiselle Voyles each brought three slushies, slightly out of breath. Yes, that's because the slushy place was near the canteen. We should have bought it at that time, but there's nothing wrong with someone saying that they just remembered a moment before queuing.
"Feline... milk and mango slushies, a little salt, and honey topping. Here, please." Mademoiselle Voyles handed a cup of finely shaved ice with a yellow-orange mango-like color to Feline.
"Thank you, Miss."
"And this one is for Mr. Keymark."
"Thank you, fine lady."
I only ordered the same as what Feline ordered. I didn't choose much for this.
After everyone got their share, Mademoiselle Voyles said all these slushies were on her. Initially, we all felt hesitant, but there was no point in forcing it either. So, we just thanked her for that.
Among the six of us, only two were the most special. Special could indeed be categorized as truly special and somewhat strange. Mademoiselle Howell had the most special one among all of us. Her slushies were milk and strawberry variants with marshmallow toppings, chocolate bars, candy, cotton candy, cream, and cocoa sprinkles. Making hers the most special among all of us. Meanwhile, Mr. Gill's was the weirdest. Why did he order a large size of bitter coffee? Wasn't this summer warm enough to make him order hot coffee? Moreover, in a large size.
When the Ferris wheel finally stopped, the six of us were ready to queue in pairs. This ride was only 13 meters high. I certainly could do better than this because I had previously ridden the Pendulum and Sky Drop, both of which were 22 meters high.
The six of us looked at the gondola that had just stopped. Then Mademoiselle Howell and M. Gill went first. We all put on calm expressions, but no one knew what was inside each other's hearts. What was certain, they stepped in and ensured their safety, then boarded.
Then they sat facing each other.
But I knew that when Mademoiselle Howell and M. Gill sat down, the gondola immediately rotated to provide an empty gondola.
M. Marsh held Mademoiselle Voyles' right hand to prevent her from falling when stepping into the gondola.
Then they sat next to each other.
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