Pumpkins and Mazes!

[Sonnie Wu]

"Hm, good question," she mused as she visually studied the corn stalks around them, "Maybe a nice green to go with his big brown eyes? What do you think?" Sonnie considered the Fairest to be the fashionista here.

"Ah, thank you, Sera," she giggled, "Do you want me to adopt you, too?"

Now that they were lost in the maze, the Beast laughed, "I'm sure it'll be okay. They probably got staff that know the maze inside and out, to guide dummies like us out of it if we're stuck in here too long. Right?" She was only guessing, but it felt logical.

"Maybe another corn dog would be proper motivation?" The ever-hungry Courser started fantasizing about corn dogs, but then the Nix grabbed her arm.

"Huh? What?" Her head swiveled back and forth, until she too heard the footsteps. She gulped. "But... but we're in a dead end... there's only one direction to go!"

Towards the footsteps!

[Seraphina]

Her eyes look at the dog as well, seeming to study him. “Green would be a great choice! Then again, I’m kinda partial to green.” She says with a wink. “But it’ll look good on him!” she was quite sure of that.

Laughing, “Can if you want, I’m a free agent!”

A shrug, “It makes sense. But I’m sure they find it funny to watch people stumble around in here. I know I would if I worked here. Maybe place bets on which people will get the lost the longest.” Quick money.

“Yes! More corn-dogs all around!” she declared.

“But you do parkor,” she begins, “can’t we just toss you over one of the walls? Or hell, even just go through?” she asks, “Or is that against the rules and theme?” the unknown footsteps were just that, unknown. And she didn’t like unknown.

“If we must, then we face it head on! No way it can take on both of us.” She straightened up a bit, “Bring it on!” and she marches forward.

[Sonnie Wu]

"My son looks good in anything. I wonder if I can find him a santa suit for December?" Good lord, stop her before she becomes one of those people who dresses their pets up all the time! Save Fugly from the constant humiliation!

Sonnie laughed, "Do you want a new sister, Fug?"

"I'd take that bet!" She smirked, wishing for a moment that she could cheat by a Contract that could find the exit... if the maze were in the Hedge. But this was the mortal world, so no easy mode for her.

"That settles it, then. We get more corn dogs before we go home tonight!" Of course, the Beast intended to do that, anyway. One never left a festival without food in hand.

She shrugged to the Fairest, "I think they frown on people breaking through the walls. Plus, that's how you end up with corn in your underwear, and nobody wants that!"

"Yeah, we can take 'em! Fugly is a scarecrow killer, too!" Sonnie nodded and moved forward, honestly curious as to the source of the footsteps.

Fugly pooped, his donation to the corn maze.

[Seraphina]

The Nix nods, “Can’t argue with you on that one.” Maybe it was his goofy looks? “If not a suit then at least a cute hat or collar.” She was never sure about the whole costume thing with animals. Cute hats and capes were cool though.

“Of course he does! I’d be the best sister too, always sneaking him snacks.” It was true, she would always have treats with her for him.

“They’ll be perfect for the drive home.” Seemed that was settled.

An eyebrow was raised, “Corn in your underwear? Are we speaking from experience here?” she jokes with a giggle. “Plus, that sounds all sorts of uncomfortable.” No thanks.

“If it’s not a scarecrow, we might be screwed.” She observes as they walk. They didn’t have to go far, just around a turn and down a little way. Only to come face to face with….a couple girls. Probably younger then Sonnie and Sera were, but they were defiantly terrified. Appearing relieved to see the two Fairest, giggling and holding on to each other.

But that happiness was to be short lived. For as soon as they seemed to drop their guard, there was another noise. But this one wasn’t footsteps, this one was a chainsaw! The two other girls screamed and hugged each other. The Nix almost jumped out of her own skin and grabbed Sonnie, eager to pull her in the opposite direction of the sound. Which was getting closer.

[Sonnie Wu]

"A little hat would be perfect!" She nodded, resolving to find such a santa hat for Fugly to wear in the coming months.

"Well," the Beast grinned, "that settles it. Fug, you have a new big sister. Be nice and don't chew on her slippers." Not that the dog had ever done that. Sonnie didn't even own slippers. The confirmation on take-home corn dogs was icing on the cake.

Mmmm, cake.

Focus!

"Do animated porcelain dolls count as scarecrows? They're even more evil and... Ahhh!" She jumped at the appearance of the two girls, but quickly relaxed. Giggling nervously, she waved at the teens.

"Wow, that was funny. I guess we got worried for nothing..." It was then the chainsaw echoed through the maze.

"AHHHH!" Sonnie screamed and clung to Seraphina, letting the Nix drag her away. Poor Fugly, confused by all the screaming, barked nervously and stumbled along after the women.

[Seraphina]

Sera looks down at Fugly, “Yeah, the slippers are off limits, they’re my favorite pair. But if you leave them alone, I promise lots of treats!” seemed like a good compromise.

She looked thoughtful, well, as thoughtful as one can look in a dark haunted corn maze, “I think on some level, yes. Cause stick them on a pole in the middle of corn and I’m sure they’d scare anything away.” Cause, ewww, dolls.

It wasn’t that easy to navigate a corn maze in the dark, with a monkey clinging to you and a chainsaw somewhere behind you. There were a few pauses as she quickly looked back and forth before deciding on a path. Only to find another dead end. But the chainsaw sounded less close, so that was something.

Laughing, though a bit nervously, “So, yah, that just happened.” At least they could hear that coming. “But something tells me they’re not all nice enough to announce their presence.” And she was starting to think this wasn’t such a good idea. “Ok, so maybe we go left this time?” if Sonnie was agreeable, Sera begins to lead the way, with a little less excitement in her steps and more caution.

And things went well, for a minute or two. Then, as they went around a corner, they were confronted by a clown. And this wasn’t the fun circus clowns that liked to make people happy. Nope. This was one that looked like it enjoyed hurting people. Sera screams, grabbing onto Sonnie as she stumbles backwards.

[Sonnie Wu]

"I'm glad we agree. Creepy dolls are creepy!" she nodded firmly, for the only thing worse than dolls was clowns.

"Why would they have a real chainsaw here?" she wondered as the Nix led them through the maze. Sonnie had picked up Fugly and packed him along so his leash wouldn't get tangled around their legs in his excitement. "Aren't there safety regulations or something?"

Another nod, this time in agreement with Sera's directions. "Left is fine," the Beast replied, her dog panting as he hung in her arms.

The clown. He had appeared. Sonnie blinked at him, as though he hadn't yet registered in her brain.

"Yeah... no. Just no."

And then the Fairest fell and pulled her down for the ride. Fugly fell out of her arms, though he landed gently on his feet. "Ack! Sera! Look out! Oof!"

[Seraphina]

With a slight shudder, “Cause they’re loud and scary?” though there was a logical part of her brain that pointed out they couldn’t actually hurt them.

Sonnie falling with her was defiantly not her intention. But as they landed, Sera rolled onto her back and just started laughing, forgetting about the clown for the moment. Laughing so hard she started to hold her stomach, rolling onto her side she tries to check on her friend, “I’m soo sorry Sonnie!” says the Nix between laughs, “Are you ok?” yup, still laughing. Then she sits up, looks to the clown, “Good one.” Offering him or her a thumbs up.

Standing, she reaches down to help Sonnie up, "Think I owe you the whole corn dog cart after that one.” She absently wiped her butt off, then wiped under her eyes, the tears from laughing were real. “Or at least buying them out.” She then reaches down to pet Fugly, “Sorry buddy, extra corn dogs for you too.”

Looking around, “Clearly I’m not meant to lead the way.”

[Sonnie Wu]

Seraphina's laughter was infectious, though it didn't usually take much to set Sonnie's laughter off, anyway. She rolled on the ground, roaring in laughter, at least until Fugly took the opportunity to lick the 'Scrambler on her face. "Bleck! Doggie slobber! Fugly, stop!"

Still giggling, she nodded to the Nix's concern. "No worries! I'm cool! What about you?" Sitting up, she wiped some tears of joy away from her eyes before looking up at the murder clown. "Spot on costume, dude!"

"Hear that, Fug? We earned more corn dogs!" she said, hugging her dog, who howled happily as he sensed the good mood.

Looking at Sera a moment, she turned back to the clown, "Um, the exit?"

The clown shrugged and silently pointed the ladies in the correct direction.

"Thank you!" Accepting the Fairest's hand up, Sonnie rose to a standing position and smiled, "Shall we depart?"

[Seraphina]

She laughed as Fugly licked Sonnie’s face, “Aww! He’s just making sure you’re ok.” She teases.

“Think I’m good. My ego’s a little bruised,” then wiping her butt off again, “and I think my butt is too.” A shake of her head as she chuckled.

The Treasured was a little surprised the clown pointed the exit out. But maybe they were confused about the girls falling and laughing.

“Yes!” she readily agreed, walking in the direction pointed out to them. “Ok, so it’s obvious I’m not good at these.” She says with a shrug, “But it was fun! Bet it’d be more fun with a larger group. And of course, our fearless protector Fugly.” Praise to the adorable puppers.

“Any other shopping you want to do? We haven’t found you any decorations yet.”