Badgerland

[sworntoalostgod]

The House of Mirrors seemed so safe. Oliver checked before running into it to avoid the badgers (when you don't know you have a magical ability to control animals, running is prudent). It's not the Ferris Wheel, not one of the roller coasters - those are obviously unsafe. Oliver has only been to local fairs before, never any amusement park this

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[runner_fray]

Mel has not found Harth. And it lokos like it might get dark soon, and she's still not found Harth.

"Hey, you seen a kid..." she starts, jogging towards the blond when she sees him. She trails off as she draws close, deciding he probably hasn't seen Harth.

"...you OK?"

[sworntoalostgod]

Oliver's head snaps up as the girl approaches. His eyes grow wide. He takes some steps back.

"No," he whispers, shaking his head rapidly. He means he hasn't seen anyone else, but he's quite unwittingly provided a response to the second question.

[runner_fray]

Mel switches instantly to 'not finding Harth and not dealing with this' near panic to 'needs to look after someone and will deal later' near competence. The only real difference is that her wet eyes stop actively producing tears and she stands up a bit straighter.

"Probly best to stick with people. I saw a large group earlier."

[sworntoalostgod]

Oliver does not look like he understands why a large group would help.

"Oh."

[runner_fray]

Mel glances over her shoulder, still looking for someone who's not him.

"Can't stay with me, I gotta find someone."

[sworntoalostgod]

Oliver remembers enough of human interaction to nod.

And mutter, "Don't go in there." He can't even glance at the House of Mirrors, but it's the building he's closest to.

[runner_fray]

Mel glances behind him. See, now he's said that, it's a challenge.

"There anyone in there?"

[sworntoalostgod]

The boy shakes his head a few times, but looks dubious.

"They-- they were...." He shudders. "In the mirrors. I think." He gives a quick glance behind.

"They didn't follow me."

[runner_fray]

"No."

Mel rolls her eyes - but here's the important thing - she also smiles.

"They didn't. And if they did, they'd have to answer to me."

[sworntoalostgod]

Oliver, still dubious. He's not sure a young lady, no matter how confident she seems, could go up against what he saw.

But you don't disagree with those who've been quite kind to you. "All right. I-- I do hope you find who you seek." He speaks softly, vaguely, like someone trying to figure out his place in the script.

[runner_fray]

"So do I."

Mel bites her lip slightly, looking around.

"Brat's in trouble 'less I find him."

[sworntoalostgod]

Young Oliver doesn't have Adult Oliver's helpfulness - the thought of helping Mel find her brother doesn't even enter his head.

"Trouble?" Oliver's face is too blank to fall, but he seems to shrink into himself more. "I saw the-- the, ah, the badgers. And--" He jerks his shoulder toward the House of Mirrors. "And-- the building with the strange badger-carts. They move on their own. They're bad.

"Is there...more? Than that?" She seems to know a lot about what's going on here. Maybe she can warn him of other nasties!

[runner_fray]

"Some are worse than others," Mel says, tugging at the drying bloodstain on her pants. "You need to go for the head."

[sworntoalostgod]

Oliver flinches at the thought. His gaze drops to his hands, his only weapons.

"The head," he repeats dully.

[runner_fray]

She bites her lip, tugging at it.

Nope, can't leave him.

"Alright. I'm gonna get you to where the others are."

[sworntoalostgod]

It's not brave or polite, accepting help from a girl who clearly has someone else to look for. Surely a man would never impose in such a way. But Oliver isn't brave. He always thought he would be if some sort of demon attack at home; he imagined himself grabbing pistols and firing away at a dirty 'skin.

So much for dreams.

Oliver doesn't meet Mel's gaze, shame and embarrassment causing tears to prickle his eyes.

"Thank you," he murmurs.