Annual Carnival Event [All Welcome]

[Administrator]

The Carnival

One of the few annual carnivals begins around this time of year and is hosted at the Navy Pier. People from all over the state come to enjoy a day filled with games, rides, and lots of fattening food. Students from the Chicago School of Performing and Visual Arts will often come as soon as classes are over and stay out until it is too late to get back into the dorms. But that's okay, because it gives them an excuse to stay out and get drunk somewhere. The carnival lasts for two weeks, and everyone is always very upset when it is over.

****This is a site-wide event, which means anyone can post here. If you have more than one character, feel free to post with as many as you like. For this thread, I am putting a minimum word count of 200, considering that if a lot of people are posting it can be hard to keep up. In all, there really aren't many rules. The only thing I would suggest is that, if your post is stated directly toward a certain person, at the top you state who it is directed to.****

THIS THREAD IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!

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[sarah randall]

( ryan )

All of the evening's worries were tucked in the way back of her mind; the papers she needed to grade and the quiz she needed to make-up, not to mention the review to go along with that quiz, all of that was pushed aside. Classes were over for the day and that was that. It was the first day of the carnival in the city and everyone was excited about it, especially the new students who never experienced it before. It was still an exciting thing for everyone else, but the initial 'wow' usually wore off the first two years. Nothing ever changed with the carnival to make it different each year, except that it occupied the whole pier for two weeks of the year. She could tell before the day even started that the whole school's mind was on the ferris wheel or zipper. She heard students talking about what they were going to eat, but to make sure they pace themselves as not to run out of delightful fair food. Funnel cakes as big as one's head was the most talked about choice of food next to the fresh lemonade stand and the cotton candy cones.

The students weren't the only ones excited, the teachers and other staff were also. It gave them all a chance to unwind from dealing with all the chaos the school year brought. Just like the students, the teachers found a close group of friends to meet up with at the park entrance or the merry-go-round. For once they weren't responsible for supervising the actions of their students, that was up to carnival security. Miss Walker had to drive to the next city block to find a parking spot, having to pay a three dollar parking fee to park in a business lot reserved for 'Carnival Parking' as the sign read. Her mood was just too uplifting and cheery to even be bothered with thinking about what else that three dollars could have gone toward. She would be getting her money's worth at least, planning on staying until after dark anyway.

Sarah sat in her car for a couple minutes, taking what she thought would be enough money for the evening out of her purse and her cell phone. She had changed into jeans quickly after classes from the skirt she was wearing so she would have pockets accessible. She locked her purse in her trunk, after taking her car key off the key ring, and locked up the car. The less she carried the less likely something would be stolen, the only downfall to the carnival season. As she hiked the block and a half to the pier, she pulled her hair from its ponytail and shook it out, combing through it with her fingers until it fell comfortable around her shoulders. She would probably end up putting it back up later, but for now it was fine down.

Reaching the gate, the line that was usually long for the first couple hours after opening moved rather quickly. Within a couple minutes Sarah was tagged with a wristband and following the crowd down the main walkway. She felt kind of weird, being by herself, but it didn't bother her all that much. It was early yet and in an hour or so more of her co-workers would be arriving either with their families or solo and, like Sarah, hoping to run into someone. That was usually how it worked, unless a meet-up was planned before-hand. Where to begin first she didn't know, there was so much going on it was hard to decide and doing it all in one night would just leave the next two weeks dull. Some stuff could be done over and over and never get old, but other things not so much. The best rides had to be ridden first though, since they were the ones that had a habit of breaking down from such frequent use.

The fresh lemonade stand was closest to the entrance, so that was where Sarah hit first. The line was short, consisting of only two people who were together, so she didn't have long to wait. The fresh lemonade only came in one size and since that was all they served there, she didn't need to say anything other than "Thank you." after receiving her fresh-squeezed drink and change. She stuffed her small handful of quarters and dimes into her pocket with the rest of her money while sipping at the bitter-sweet drink. Stabbing the half of lemon that consumed most of the cup, she ended up sucking up a couple of lemon seeds.

The further from the entrance she got, the thinner the crowd became, everyone having dispersed in all directions to do rides or games. She was shouted at numerous times to try throwing darts at balloons or rings around bottle necks. Aim wasn't exactly her strongest ability so she ignored the shouts and was just as quickly forgotten when someone else came within proximity. It didn't take Sarah long to finish her lemonade, seeing as how the cup was filled with half a lemon and ice mostly. She tossed it in the nearest trash bin than began to wander a bit more, trying to figure out what she wanted to do. Eventually she got into the area that was filled with more rides than games and vendors, the screaming grew louder as did the music from the Musical Express. She wasn't really one for the crazy fast rides, at least not right away, she had to be in the mood for them. Now she was in the mood for something slower, like the Ferris Wheel. And the line was short enough she could probably get in the next batch or the one after.

She ended up having to wait for the second group to go but was first in line. "By yourself?" The conductor of the ride asked, halting her before she could go in. "Yeah." Oh no, she forgot the Ferris Wheel was two to a chair. She felt heat rise to her face when the conductor asked her to stand to the side and let a pair through. "Anyone else going solo that wants to ride with this young lady?" He voice carried over the crowd and made Sarah cringe under the stares. She could easily stand being stared at mindlessly by her students but for some reason this was most uncomfortable. "I don't mind going by myself." She told him after no one stepped forth. "Sorry, it's policy, safety reasons." He responded, not lowering his voice all that much. "Anyone?" A few seconds passed and he shrugged. "Sorry." Sarah wanted to crawl into a hole.

[melody]

Tons of students and teachers were boosted with excitement today. Ryan didn't get why everyone was in a good mood and just continued to walk to the lunch room. He entered the cafeteria and looked around at the students eating until he came across a group of students that he was cool with. He walked over to them, some were busy finishing up their homework which seemed odd since they didn't do homework any other lunch period. ”What's going on today?” he asked as he stopped at the end of the table. One of the students looked up from their book with his mouth dropped opened. ”The carnival opens up today.” he replied then disappeared behind the book again. Ryan shook his head, how could he had forgotten about the carnival. He used to go to it every year with a group of friends from school well until he moved to California. Being a guy, he missed the food and hitting people while riding the bumper cars. ”Are you gonna be there Perry? I bet you got a hot date.” another kid asked while writing down equations. ”I might go.” Ryan replied being pulled away from his thoughts and being pulled back into reality while ignoring the hot date part. ”Alone?” a girl asked who was down further. ”Why not.” he replied with the same half smirk he always gives. With that Ryan moved his legs over to the other security guards who were busy talking away about plans with their families and such.

The period was soon over and the rest of the day went really fast. For Ryan, the day always went super fast whenever he had something to look forward to. He walked out the main doors while waving bye to a few security guards. He quickened his pace while walking to ward his car, when he reached it he placed the key inside the keyhole and turned the key until he heard the click. He opened the driver side door, got in, then closed it while placing the key into the ignition and waiting until he heard the engine kick on. He drove for about twenty minutes until he reached his apartment which was not that far away from the school. Ryan jumped out of the car and locked it before going inside and taking the elevator up to the fifth floor where his room was located. He jogged down the hallway until he came to his room and opened the door after unlocking it with his key. He moved over to the closet and pulled out a blue button up shirt, a white t-shirt, and a pair of blue jeans then got changed out of his uniform. Before he left he pulled out a pair of boots and slipped them on in replace of his uniform shoes. After he got changed and grabbed a snack, he then went back down to the elevator and back into his car.

He drove for awhile until the pier came into view. He pulled off into a parking lot and paid the three dollar fee. He grabbed his wallet from underneath the driver seat and slipped it into his back pocket then got out of the car and locked it up. Ryan walked a few blocks before walking into the the entrance of the carnival. He paid for his ticket and in no time he got a wristband and was allowed in. First he fought passed the crowds of teenagers and kids and then looked around, the place didn't seem to change a bit just a few food places were in different places. He could hear the screaming from the roller coasters and other rides along with some guys picking on the girls. He was happy that he didn't have to deal with them and they were someone else's problem for the rest of the day. Ryan glanced around once more to find someone he knew but failed. He decided to go get something to eat and maybe find someone he knew. So he headed over to the funnel cake stand and order one small one which was still bigger than your head and dug out his wallet, paid, then started to walk around while eating.

Ryan wasn't one to go on roller coaster or any other ride that involved heights. He hated being up in the air and that's why when he moved back to Chicago he took a bus here and didn't fly. There was just something about being up in the air that he didn't like. There just were to many things that could go wrong with a ride or plane and it could come crashing down and so Ryan didn't plan on being on that ride and knowing his luck he would probably be on the ride that breaks down. It was probably the most common fear in the whole world. He remembered when he was younger he wouldn't go on the roller coasters and made up accuses not to go on the ride like I have to go to the bathroom, or I'm hungry. When your younger you don't really want to tell all your friends that your scared of heights and especially if your a guy. It just didn't make you look tough. However, Ryan wondered around until he came across the ferris wheel. That was one ride he would never go on, since it stops at the top and all he would probably get sick. He was about to walk away until he heard the conductor yell. That's embarrassing, Ryan thought as he turned around and glanced at the conductor with the young lady. He squinted against the sun to see who it was and realized it was the English teacher he met in the hallway. His heart started to quicken it's pace and without realizing it he heading over to the ferris wheel then in no time he was up the stairs standing next to the conductor. ”I'll ride with her.” he said forgetting that he was scared of heights. His head was yelling at him telling him he is making a big mistake since he was going to look like a fool whenever and if they do stop at the top. But his heart was urging him on and was obviously winning. ”That is if she doesn't mind. he quickly added.


tag: sarah walker.
word count: 1,078
images: by me, text from caution
notes: datada ryan to the rescue! lol.

[sarah randall]

How many times did it take to die of embarrassment? Well, since she was still standing here certainly more then once. Sarah really didn't have a problem with being in front of a crowd. It didn't bother her in high school like it did most kids when giving a presentation or a speech and it obviously didn't bother her now, seeing as she was a teacher and had to stand up in front of twenty teenagers. Yet, she was all too aware of the eyes of strangers looking at her, some blankly and some with sympathy. The sympathy ones were the worst and she tried to avoid looking at them altogether. It really shouldn't be bothering her this much that she was alone. It was a stupid carnival ride, it wasn't like she didn't meet the 'You Must Be This Tall' sign and was stuck at the exit gate while everyone who was tall enough went on without her. There was no one to go on without her, except everyone else in line she didn't know.

It wasn't that she couldn't go on the ride without a partner, it was the fact that she didn't have a partner to go on the ride with. The romantic in her was desperate for that stop at the top of the Ferris Wheel, overlooking the city; preferably at sunset or on a clear star-lit night, but she would always take what she could get. Of course, when the conductor asked if she was going alone she automatically assumed without a male companion, that was the romantic in her. She could also smack herself for not making plans with a fellow colleague in the English department, or Noelle for that matter. But it really hadn't crossed her mind. She was used to spending time alone, being brought up as an only child she learned to entertain herself when all of her friends went home. That was the main reason why flying solo didn't bother her, and also why it did. She blamed the death of her parents for her want of the deeper emotion; love. Of course she was loved as a child, by her parents for such a short while then her grandmother and then her aunt, but not in the same way as a father loves his daughter. For Sarah it was a fleeting moment she barely remembered.

About to walk around to the exit gate, not wanting to be the new attraction, she ended up stopping before she could even take a step. She looked for the familiar voice, soon finding him standing right next to her and felt her stomach flop over. She couldn't decide if she was in the wrong or right place at the wrong or right time when running into the hot security guard. As usual an instant flush rose to her face and she turned her face out of his line of vision so he couldn't see it. Now she was feeling like even more of an idiot and wanted to vanish again. Why couldn't they run into each other while she was grabbing coffee in the morning on her way to work or during her free block, like normal people. She could only imagine what he was thinking of her: klutz and lacking in social skills.

She felt the awkward silence after the security guard spoke and ended up snapping her mouth shut that had fallen open. Great: ADD can surly be added. "Uh, y-yeah. I mean, no, I don't mind." Not at all. She turned back to the ride guy and smiled, flapping her fingers for him to move aside. His eyebrows raised but he didn't respond as he moved aside to let her and the other guy pass. She led her ride partner to the first empty chair and slid to the other side for him to sit. When he did she closed the bar in front of them and waited for the guy to click it in place. "Thanks for this." Her hands rested on the bar and she smiled in his direction. "I felt like a totally goober standing up there." The ride began to move but only a few feet to get to the next chairs for others to get on. Sarah kept one foot on the footrest but dangled the other over the edge and swung it slowly.

[melody]

Ryan hardly ever got embarrassed. Well he did but it just didn't affect him much, if he tripped or fell he would just laugh it off and get up. He did not like it when his emotions took over and a lot of the time they didn't. That was one thing about guys in general, they could hide their tears and suffering but when it came to anger and rage they just let it all out. Ryan could never stand up and speak to a group of people, he was one of those people who always waited until the teacher called on him to give his speech. It wasn't that he didn't know what he was talking about or anything like that, he usually got good grades in school, it was just the fact of talking in front of twenty kids and having stage fright. But once he started a speech the stage fright seemed to go away a little but it always kept showing up every time he knew he had to give another speech or presentation.

However, there has been times where Ryan wanted to hide his face and disappear although he wouldn't admit to it. Ryan is the type to open a door for a woman, even if it was just a stranger, when he went to go live with his aunt and uncle in California they made sure he knew how to treat other people and knew how to respect the elderly. He was just grateful that they took him in and so he just followed the rules and stayed out of trouble as much as he could. There have been times were people made comments and they got Ryan upset to the point where the two were fighting but he always regretted it when he went home to his aunt. She had lost a child at birth then was told she couldn't have another so she treated Ryan like her own and was a good parent. One thing that did get on his nerves was whenever she had brought up the whole 'I didn't have to take you in' thing. There were a few times where he would say that she should of left him there then but if she would have then he wouldn't be standing here today with a good life. Ryan knew he would never have a great life, let's face it you would have to get whatever you ever wanted and would have to have a perfect family and past to have a great life. Ryan defiantly did not have a great history nor family and he never got everything he wanted.

Ryan did not know what was going on inside of him. He usually thought things through before even taking a step out the door. He always thought about what he was doing even when he was turning the alarm clock off in the morning. It was just that he got hurt so many times by his own family that he just looked out for himself all the time but now he wasn't even listening to himself. It was like he knew he was making a huge mistake, not by going over to her but by going on the ride that he feared the most, but he just didn't care. A part of him feared that he would regret this and the other part of him didn't care, and the side that didn't care was winning over. Ryan didn't even think about the way he must of looked or seemed, it was almost like there weren't a care in the world.

Ryan felt his mouth grow dry and his palms started sweating at the silence and at the ride that now came into focus in his mind. Oh, no. How could I be so stupid.. the words pounded in his head and his body let the fear start to grow. He couldn't just leave or say he was to scared, he would look like a complete idiot and jerk if he did. Plus he wanted to go on the ride with her, well maybe not the ride part. He gave a weak smile when she said she didn't mind at all, he was happy to hear that but at the same time he wished that she would of said that she didn't want to go on the ride anymore. I can't go on this ride.. I just can't. he said in his mind but the next thing he knew he was sitting down and locking the bar. “It's no problem, we all feel like a complete idiot once in our life.” he said knowing that he meant the second part for himself. “I'm Ryan by the way” he added right before the ride started. Ryan was okay when it went up a little but once they got semi high he started to panicked in his head. He felt his palms get even more sweater while holding onto the bar. He keep his vision straight on, which didn't help that much, and avoided looking down. Once the people at the bottom got on, the ride starting up again going up a few more feet before stopping again. Ryan clenched his teeth and hold on to the bar so tight that his knuckles were pure white. He didn't even want to think about how ridiculous he must have looked.

tag: sarah walker.
word count: 901
images: by me, text from caution
notes: doonne

[sarah randall]

The ride was moving slowly, leaving enough time for the people who were on before to get off and let the new ones take their spots. Sarah hated this particular part of the ride, waiting until all the new people were on so they could really get moving. It was the view from the top she loved most of all and at the pace they were moving all she could see was the wall in front of her. They moved again and she could see the water of Lake Michigan, but through the tiers of the small roller coaster. Again and again they inched their way up, not quite to the top but the view was satisfying enough. She smiled when Ryan finally introduced himself, finally she knew his name. Turning to him she relayed her own, "Sarah." The grin was still present as she took a glance back toward the lake. "I love the view from the Ferris Wheel, it makes you realize how small you really are compared to the rest of the city." Of course, you couldn't see the whole city from a simple ferris wheel ride as it was obscured by skyscrapers within a few blocks.

The best way to see the whole city would be through some sort of aircraft and since Sarah wasn't a fan of planes that was out. Sh was okay with planes when she was younger, the excitement of the destination would overshadow the fear. She remembered crying once when she flew from Indianapolis back to Chicago after the death of her grandmother. She was alone on the plane, having been left at the gate by a social worker, and sat near the window next to two people she didn't know. It was a frightening experience for a twelve-year-old. The ride was short enough, but it was still scarring. She remembered thinking her aunt didn't know of her arrival and she would be left to wander the airport. It turned out that her aunt was right past the gate waiting. But the real icing on the cake was the 9/11 attacks, that terrified her to no end and would choose taking a charter bus or driving herself to it.

A blimp would be pretty cool, except she was pretty sure they cost an arm and a leg to ride. There was also the other option of taking a ride to the top of the highest skyscraper to see over the rest. The only flaw in that idea was that many of the building were corporate offices or headquarters and very few were open to "tourists". Sarah was anything but a tourist, but riding to the top of a skyscraper was a very tourist thing to do. Although she was sure residents of New York City found an occasional urge to go to the top of the Empire State Building. It was the same principle.

Turning slightly to better face Ryan and asked him his thoughts, her grin turned into a worried frown. He was staring straight ahead, gripping the bar in front of him so hard his knuckles were paling. "Ryan?" He was making her a little nervous, if not scared, that he would pass out, or throw up. "A-are you all right?" Kind of a dumb question since it obviously didn't seem like he was all right, but she didn't know what else to say. If he didn't want to go on the ride with her, he really didn't have to. She would rather have skipped over the ride than have him feeling uncomfortable, although that seemed to be an understatement.