*
Arriving at the park after a smooth journey, it was 10 am and the weather had gone considerably brighter and warmer. Aura who wore a pair of short tight jeans and a loose long sleeved blouse seemed better fit for this weather. She was able to enjoy the wind while also protected from the sun with her blouse and sleeves covering her skin.
From what she's seen, this place was just as ancient texts have described, a relic of the origin era called amusement parks. As a transitory period, there is some credence that the era of mystery also had amusement parks and shared many characteristics with both the other eras. In other words, this was a culture that endured because humanity found necessity in amusement, or better put, entertainment.
As an appetiser, they went on rides that all 4 of them could take part. Carousels, spinning tea cups, haunted houses, bumper cars. That was what they decided, gleefully walking further into the park. Past the entrance and pass the need for tickets, it was a wonderful Saturday, the world felt like it sparked with even more clarity than usual.
Aura pulled Sariel's hand, giggling to herself as she climbed onto a massive teacup. Pepper and Dina spilled into that small confinement, the door closed and they could feel it begin to immediately whirl. The moment they got in, and the machine sensed that the doors were closed, the ride initiated on its own. Not only could they feel motion at its base, their surroundings start to drift at a crawling speed. The direction never changed, but different cups moved in different directions, painting a harmonising scene from a top down view.
There were some yelps of excitement that leaked out, but nothing like a screech. Her fingers cling onto the circular bar in the centre with everyone, reminiscent of a steering wheel but static. She could feel the wind rushing past her face, and perhaps due to her time as a magical girl, didn't feel much of its novelty. Nevertheless, her chest remained warm and she peaked at the others under narrowed eyelids, a grin on her face as she observed her cute juniors brace against the relatively light g-force.
When the cups stopped, they seemed to have parked at the same spot where they boarded it. Staff members promptly entered the walled area and opened the doors of the teacups, some gently helping people up who got weak from the motion sickness.
"Shall we go again?" (Aura)
Her excitement hadn't faded, heart still pumping with adrenaline.
"Save it for the end. If you're still up for it after the coaster, then we'll go. If not we need to try out more of the park's attractions first." (Sariel)
"Mm, mm! That's right. It sure is nice to have someone reign in Aura!" (Dina)
"Because I'm too busy with you?" (Pepper)
"Hey!" (Dina)
Coaxing a few chuckles out of them, Pepper led the way out and began perusing her map that she picked up at the entrance. They did decide on a few rides before hand, but choosing which one to ride and finding the way there were different things. Pointing the way, She moved off with rest in tow. After passing a fork and heading deeper towards the left, they arrived at a large scale open area. There was a singular thick pillar the width of a car that stood imposingly like a massive umbrella. It was similar to a usual carousel, but instead of horses it had seats that rose high into the air as it went in rounds.
There was a wider berth of motion, but the speed was roughly slower than the teacups. The 4 position themselves in adjacent seats, reminiscent of playground swings with elongated chains hanging up the chair. When it was time, the contraption began slow as it lifted the park goers. After reaching a high altitude of around 10 metres, the seats fluctated in height, weaving up and down as they make their way around the central pillar while picking up speed. All of the guest had to sit facing the same direction, where the seats are being pulled towards while suspended.
A few screams permeate the air when the speed of the ride became unmanageable. Speaking of which, Aura didn't seem to have a climate as much as Sariel did. While it is normal for the average person to close their eyes shut in the face of heavy wind pressure, it's something that magical girls have to face so frequently they had no choice but to get used to the sensation. Even as hard as her body was swung, Sariel couldn't help but keep a calm mind as she watch the world unfold before her. It felt like, she was watching everything through a screen.
By the time she noticed, she realised the ride was over and her muscles were wound up as if in a fight. Her core had tightened as if in flight. Gradually, she relaxed her body as her legs lifted her off the seat. Thankfully removing the harness gave her enough time to breathe. She wants to continue sitting and contemplating what she went through, but now was not the time. She walked off towards the exit of the carousel, grouping up with Aura and the others.
She can ruminate all she wants while strolling with the others, and something like this shouldn't be rushed. What bogged down her thoughts the most was what had just happened, was she too used to battle that she couldn't enjoy a part of daily life? Increased motion speed, resisting gravity, recovering orientation and bearings, all things she did without having to put her mind to it... As if waiting for a monster to pop out at any time, suffocated by a deep fear that she will get ambushed...
Kaori and Arin are not around. The two fought off enemies that were frankly too mystical for her to comprehend. If they were to show up here, if a heavenly king were to arrive just like all the others that appeared thus far... Who would protect her now? As a magical girl, her role was to protect the common people, those who couldn't wield magic and would be far more helpless than she was. If there wasn't anyone else around, no one to claim the burden of being the 'strongest', then she'll be the one facing down the proverbial edge of the abyss.
Accepting reality, taking on said responsibilities for the greater good... Sacrificing oneself so humanity can survive, who could accept that? As a normal person, she had hoped someone else would take the fall for her instead, it's in her natural self preservation urges. Someone who is 'stronger' will take on the burden of protecting everyone at the risk of their own life, Sariel will lose her role as the protected.
She wasn't noble like Arin, who believed in herself so much that she could take on the world. She also wasn't as selfless as Lastia, who believed the world and humanity was beautiful and had the inherent value worthy of protection. She's just Sariel.