Cake walk

Despite their previous experience with the trickery in the games, something had drawn Dassi, Tirzah and Posca back to the Carnival for more games. Maybe it was the lively atmosphere, maybe it was the prizes, but whatever the case may be they found themselves milling about among the boisterous crowd, eyeing one game after another in search of what looked either most fun or the most winnable. Dassi's eyes were once again wide with wonder and her excitement was definitely a large part of what drew her friends back to this place. That, and Tirzah did have a competitive streak that had been awakened and she was ready to win anything and everything she could. Posca on the other hand was just along for the ride. They meandered through a new section of the Carnival they hadn't made it to before that was full of great big model planets, not that that meant anything to any of them. Posca did sort of get the impression that this was meant to be a room about the sky because there were recognizable stars featured in different places and some images and models of the sun that were unmistakable. What the other colorful orbs were she had no idea, but that didn't matter anyway because all around the displays there were games galore. 

Dassi was once again the first to find one that she wanted to play, and her friends were willing to oblige, as was the established pattern. The first game was a cake walk which didn't mean it was easy, but it incidentally was so there was that. They along with a number of other dinos were directed to stand on colorful spots laid on the ground at equal distance apart. Then, according to the Para running the game, they would keep going as long as the music was playing and stop when the music stopped. Once they were stopped a number would be chosen and whoever was on the corresponding spot got a cake. They all took their places and prepared for the game to begin.

While they waited for the game to start, Posca glanced around at the other participants. The dinos joining this game were as diverse as the rest of the crowd milling about all around them. A green striped pachy bounced eagerly waiting for the game to begin while a pair of unassuming brown paras chatted quietly with each other. A handful of more vibrant feathered Utahs were antsily hovering around their spots on the ground, nipping playfully at one another to fill the time. The spots were well spaced which was fortunate because a shunt that struggled to be mindful of its tail was a few spots ahead of them. Her friends were waiting patiently. Tirzah looked excited to have another chance to win prizes, so she was a little more enthusiastic than usual. And Dassi was chronically chipper anyway so it wasn't too surprising she was obviously enjoying herself. 

While the Para that was facilitating struggled to get things in order, Posca drank in their surroundings. The contrast between the space themed room with its mesmerizing images of starry skies and planets and the whimsical Carnival decor was kind of funny. The flags and banners and booths all sported bright colors that drew the eye especially since they were surrounded by nothing but muted tones, even the displays and models were comparatively bland looking. It was a weird place for an event but weirdly also made sense. 

At last a dino with better fine motor skills than a Para was able to push a button on the old radio they were using for the music. It crackled to life after a moment, sending out its upbeat melody to the surrounding area and drawing looks from passersby. The jaunty music really set the atmosphere as they all began to plod around the circle from one spot to the next. Dassi jumped and hopped from one to the other the best she could, though sometimes she fell short a few inches because Dacens weren't really made for jumping like that. Posca suppressed a snort, her minty green friend was always so light hearted and upbeat to a fault. She herself was more stoic than Tirzah even, who was prone to surly behavior at times, but deep down she thought it might be more fun if she could be so silly and carefree like Dassi. Somehow that felt unrealistic though, somebody had to be responsible and look out for the others after all… right? Goofing around felt like a luxury she didn't have. Tirzah kept marching a little too fast and almost bumping into her, which Posca just tried to ignore as they rounded the circle several times. 

At last the music came to a stop and each dino abruptly halted on the spot closest to them. Dassi bounced from foot to foot in eagerly anticipation, and even Posca was drawn in by the suspense. It felt like ages but it was probably only a half a minute before the number was ready off. “Number 7!” The Para called out. Seconds later Dassi was jumping for joy and going to collect her prize with an eagerly swinging tail that almost smacked an unsuspecting Pachy as she ran past. Tirzah stomped a foot in frustrated disappointment. “If it just went a second longer…” posca heard her grumble. 

While Dassi collected her prize, Posca turned and asked Tirzah, “Do you wanna try again maybe?” 

Tirzah immediately perked up. “You sure? Or we can just not, I mean-”

“Just go for it, win your game,” Posca laughed, “I'll even try again with you.”

Once the music started again for a new round they continued their steady march around the circle for a few more rotations than the last time. It was kind of fun how simply not knowing when it would stop and what number would be chosen made it so suspenseful. Posca wouldn't have thought that such a simple game would actually end up being any fun, or that she would willingly participate after Dassi felt done playing. Dassi sat by and offered her support, watching quietly with a contented smile, a couple tickets resting between her front feet while she spectated. When the music stopped this time an excited Para was the winner, the pair that came together went off to collect the ones reward while Tirzah huffed and waited for ‘just one more round’ to begin so she could have a do over.

The next round went quicker, but this time one of the feathered Utahs who had stuck around to keep playing Like Tirzah did was the lucky winner. He skittered off triumphantly to get his prize while the rest waited patiently. Posca agreed to go another round because she felt bad Tirzah didnt win yet and there was no real harm in continuing anyway. Well, no harm other than to Tirzahs patience because this wasnt a game she could hope to win with skill, it was all luck. 

The following round the Shuno won. Posca tried not to get a tail to the face as she was the closest this time and the shunt still wasnt mindful of where their whole body was apparently. Dassi has to scoot back a few paces when the lumbering dino went by just to be safe. Tirzah gave her an apologetic look when their eyes met but Posca waved it away, “dont worry about it we can keep going,” she assured her. 

“Okay, if you're sure.” 

“I wouldn't offer if I wasnt sure.” 

“Good point,” Tirzah laughed. Posca wasnt exactly the sort who was usually down for anything like Dassi, and they all knew it. 

The next round was probably the new longest, it felt like they just kept going and going. Posca found herself counting each of the spots on the ground as they walked over them. The game didn't exactly lend itself to being replaced excessively as a form of entertainment. Tirzah must have found it worth it though because she looked totally engaged as though she was trying to attain a win by sheer force of will. Maybe that worked for a game based on chance? After what felt like ten laps around the circle the music finally was cut and they all halted as quickly as they could. “Number four!” called the Para. Tirzah practically jumped for joy, shouting a boastful, “I won!! Yes!” And racing off to get her prize as fast as she could while Posca smiled and looked on, glad deep down that they didn’t have to keep going. 

After they collected and enjoyed the cake, they decided to try a few more games of different types this time to see what else could be won.