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A festival such as this had not been one the feline would have ventured off on her own. It was one she would had often enjoyed with friends. She had been grateful that Fig mentioned the festival. Even though the leopardess had been quick to protest, she finally had caved. In truth, Naomi had wanted to attend, but it had brought back too many memories. Ones of going to celebrations with her pack mates and having a blast. One that she would roll her eyes at the sweet things Trevin would speak. One that she would watch Remus and his stupidity as her heart melted. Those memories had turned into heartache as she stared at the flashing lights of signs and booths. The scent of greasy fried foods and sweet treats had swept under her nose as her stomach grumbled.


All of that had been pushed aside as she turned to look at Aislin, a smirk crept on her lips. She wasn't going to let those thoughts win tonight. “Funnel cakes and rides are screaming my name,” she softly chuckled. “Too bad there isn’t a Fun House like in a horror movie where some crazed clown chases everyone. Now that would be entertaining,” she admitted with a nod. “People are too sensitive these days.” Her head shook as she looped her arm through her friends and started to walk forward now that tickets had been paid.


The moon had been bright in the sky as stars could be seen over head. There certainly had been a crowd as people moved about, enjoying the festivities. The sound of the local band on stage vibrated the ground as the bass had been heavier than too be expected. “….And this band is going to create an earthquake,” she commented with another chuckle. “Oh bobbing for apples, we have to do that.” There were too things that were catching her interest when Naomi thought she would be a sourpuss the entire night. “Hmmm what are you feeling? Not the band..they aren’t playing anything worth dancing too.” A little frown had been given at that thought.

Aislin nearly skipped along beside Naomi with how excited she was. Sure, the festival would be fun but it was more seeing her friend showing a small hint of her old self again. Naomi still hadn’t opened up about what was eating her alive and Aislin didn’t want to push as she hoped time would help the leopardess open up. It had only been a week, however, so there was still time and this was a good sign that not all was lost.

The only thing she was going to let herself worry about that night was how her aversion to the sun ruined their chance to spend more time together going out and doing things together. They only had a couple of hours to enjoy the festival but that would have to do. They could always continue their fun at a club later on if that was what called to them. For now, Naomi had a great idea. Funnel cakes and rides sounded great. “A fair comes to the city for a couple of weeks each year but it’s earlier in the summer. It has a lot more rides and fun houses and all of that. We’ll definitely go, maybe sneak in after hours.” Aislin didn’t realise what she implied until after she said it but hoped her friend would still be in Greenbrooke come June, but she didn’t linger on it, too afraid to break the spell of good times that they were under.

“You know I can make my body move to any beat,” Aislin instead flirted with a wink and grin. Some spicy memories came back to her but it wasn’t the time to bring those up, even if they weren’t frolicking through a festival. She was a shameless flirt and still found Naomi beautiful but she also didn’t know where her friend’s interests laid after so long. But that, too, would have to wait as other types of fun were waiting.

“Let’s do some rides first then eat. Maybe a new band will come on soon and we can show everyone how it’s done,” Aislin suggested as she grabbed Naomi’s hand and led her through the crowd toward their goal. It was a small selection of rides since they weren’t the main focus of the event but it was enough to satisfy her for the moment. She couldn’t say the rides had any connection or meaning to her from her human life but they did make her feel young and carefree. They ended up at the Scrambler first and Aislin giggled as they snapped the safety bar into place. It started slow as it rotated and pulled them in and out in a pattern at the same time, building up speed as it went until they were zipping all over the place with her laughing at the fun. She knew humans would love the exhilaration of moving so quickly but it was still slower than she could move on her own if she chose to. Still, it was fun and a good way to start their night.

A brow rose as what Aislin spoke of had peaked her interest. She had always been one for the rides and games more than anything. Of course, there had been the food, but that hadn’t been the first thing on the feline’s list. “Oh good, I need more excitement. Is it the same fair each year?” The wording of her friend’s words had gone over the woman’s head. She had been too focused on the rides. “Is there an amusement park around here while we are on this subject?” Though she had no intentions of heading to a park any time soon, it still had been knowledge to store.


The music had been background music, one that had not caught her interest. Even though the band sounded pretty good if she had paid attention, it just hadn’t captivated the feline’s soul. As Fig gave a flirty wink, she shook her head as a smirk had been plastered on her face. Heat had stung her cheeks as Naomi chuckled. “How could I forget the many parties that started out of nothing except your hips.” The feline had looked her friend up and down as memories flooded her mind. Oh Aislin was dangerous to say the least.



Naomi wasn’t going to protest about the rides as he held on to her friend’s hand and followed. As they had waved through the horde of people without getting bumped into, finally they had arrived at their destination. The rides had seemed much larger as she peered at them and finally they decided on The Scrambler. The line hadn’t been long and actually, the leopardess had been excited. She had brushed off the mild paranoia that had lurked in the background as she tried not to seem overly suspicious with so many people around. The leopardess took a few deep breaths as she tried to convince herself that no one had been after her. Rides had been something she had always enjoyed and she had been determined not to allow her mind to fuel her fears.


As they had picked a seat, the feline sat down at the bar came down upon their lap and locked in place. Once it had started to spin, she held on tightly and moved with the ride. “Glad we didn’t go drinking before hand! This ride is really trying it.” The more it spun, the more she had giggled and made sounds. It hadn’t gone fast enough to make Naomi scream, her own moments had been faster than the damn machine. Still, it had been innocent fun. The word fun had been the last on her mind over the past few months.


Once the ride had came to an end, the lock had been released and the bar lifted. “That was almost as rough as a wooden rollercoaster.” Those had jerked people’s bodies around good bad and often gave her a headache, but had been worth it.” Naomi had stepped up down and waited to Aislin. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you I was one of the first thousand people at Disney World….” She had looked at her friend then busted into laughter. “...It was horrible.” That was a little fact about herself that the feline hadn’t minded sharing. “Any place you thought was going to be exciting and turned out to be the opposite?” The feline was in a talkative mood at least and found this was an indirect way of filling in the gap from the last time they had seen each other.



Naomi had led the way to Tilt-A-Whirl in which there had been a line that quickly started to form. “At least this one shouldn’t be so brutal on the body.” She had not wanted to mention that her body still had been tender from the silver burns and gashes that she carefully concealed with clothes and bands on her wrists. “So how does it feel to be elevated?” By elevated she meant a Master, but kept it simple since they were in public.

Aislin merrily explained the fair to her friend and how a lot of it was the same but it was massive and always had different vendors and something new. Even if it was the same, she felt like she'd enjoy it each time regardless since it was something that only came around for a short time a year. It was just like attending a theme park and those didn't change much at all. And that was why she happily babbled about Canada's Wonderland and how they were open through winter now as well so they could go together. Aislin was honestly excited about the idea. She'd done their Halloween event years ago but being able to actually enjoy the park itself when the sun set so early excited her.

"You didn't! Horrible or not, that is so cool!" Aislin sometimes envied the ones that could still go out into the sun. She sometimes missed the warmth on her skin and seeing the world in vibrant colours and light but she still wouldn't give up being a vampire. She missed out on a lot but she had gained just as much in her mind and she was able to continue learning and seeing the world and people change. Even within a simple decade so much could change and advance and it was breathtaking. She thought a moment on the question as they moved through the line for the next ride. "Not really, no. Even if it wasn't exactly how I imagined it to be, I could always find something enjoyable about it." Aislin didn't think she was a complete ball of sparkles and sunshine but she did try to keep a positive outlook on everything. Sometimes it was harder than others but usually there was good to be found.

Except maybe in her powers, Aislin corrected with a laugh and shake of her head. "I would hardly call it that. It's very new and I'm giving all the credit to Rafe. Honestly, I think I got lucky with getting something while so young but I don't think I'll advance much further." If she did, it would be through a lot of work and not without challenges. She barely had control over her standard assortment of skills and doubted if even Rafe's powerful bloodline would help her move up another level in another hundred years. Not that she truly cared about power and rank but Rafe did and she didn't want to be an embarrassment to him. "I'll have to try to visit you sometime." Aislin meant within the dreams, if she could focus on the intended target enough, but she wondered if anyone overhearing them would think she had quickly hopped subjects and was now planning a trip.

Naomi had taken interest in hearing about the festivals and celebrations around Greenbrooke. Times of gathering always appealed to the feline for it offered a sense of community and there were those unexpected moments. Anything could have happened which gave a sense of adventure. Whether interactions with others were positive or horrendous, she still welcomed them. She kept entertaining the thought as Aislin continued to explain. It had created excitement within the feline, one she appreciated and gave her something to look forward to in the future. Future? She guessed she would stay in Greenbrooke after all unless something chased the feline away.


That realization she hadn’t lingered on as the leopardess went down her trip down memory lane of Disney World. “I can laugh about it now. You don’t want to know half of the troubles,” she muttered as she rolled her eyes and shook her head. “….but I’ll tell you anyways.” A smirk crossed her lips as Naomi explain the details on how poorly managed and disgusting the place had been. Being at the festival with her friend had brought back good and laughable experiences that the feline had forgotten about during decades of being a part. It had put Naomi in a good space of distraction, one she greatly needed.


She was curious about Aislin’s own adventures as a way of opening up about the gap in her history without demanding a whole life story. “Isn’t that life though? Have to find joy within the darkest and unsavory moments. Besides, some people are way too serious and need to live a little. Or take a little something,” she winked. Whatever that something was, she left it up to her friend to decide. Though in Naomi’s past she had done her fair share of experimenting.


As they stood in line and kept inching towards the ride, a brow rose as her friend shared her experience with her new elevation. “Oh don’t be so modest, dear.” Her hand reached out and touched Aislin’s arm as she spoke. “Even something small is always worth celebrating. To me, I see it as a huge step coming from someone on the outside.” The feline was excited for her friend and fully supported anyone on their path of elevation. She knew Rafe was a great teacher and took matters concerning Family and business seriously. As far as the leopardess was concerned, her friend was a part of good bloodline. She would never tell Rafe that and expand his ego with her thoughts


A snort escaped as her head lopped to the side curiously in thought for a moment. “Not sure if you want to visit these nightmares. They aren’t….pleasant.” Her voice became serious. The night terrors often left Naomi sobbing, paralyzed, or screaming in pain. She would never want her friend to experience, to see what troubled her. It briefly crossed her mind that maybe Aislin should. It would open the door to a conversation she didn’t want to have. That thought alone made the leopardess regret the previous thought and quickly changed the subject. “What can you do in them? Can you mess with people or are you just a watcher?” Naomi leaned in a bit closer to her ear as she whispered. “That can be delicious having sex with someone?” She laughed at the thought, but thought it was impressive if her friend could.

Aislin liked hearing the positivity coming from Naomi. They’d only reconnected a week ago but she had been worrying about her friend and what was eating her alive. She knew enough not to ask and wasn’t that graceful with rooting around in minds—and it was just plain rude to do so without asking first. Of course there were situations where manners didn’t matter but even with a troubled friend, Aislin didn’t think she could do it. But their evening out so far had been full of smiles and now encouragement. It almost felt like a handful of decades ago; all they were missing was the cruising for some men to entertain them. The night was still young and she supposed there was time yet for that.

But the encouragement, as much as it made her smile softly, didn’t ease her fears of being a failure. Just because she acquired a skill didn’t mean she’d ever truly master it or be of any use to Rafe and the Family with it. She liked to believe that she offered skills in other ways and she would always be valuable on some level but how often could you be a disappointment before being dealt with? Aislin didn’t voice any of that as she didn’t want to ruin the mood of their night or make Naomi worry unnecessarily over being back around Rafe so she gave a little nod at the idea of celebrating even the smallest steps. After all, she truly was thrilled to be a dream walker and growing in some ways.

Then Naomi slipped for a moment, mentioning her dreams weren’t pleasant. Aislin desperately wanted to ask what haunted the feline day and night but they were in the middle of a festival and it was clear they were both determined to have a good time by the way Naomi was quickly moving on and asking more questions about the power. Aislin grabbed Naomi’s hand in hers and gave it a squeeze, quietly showing her support, reminding the other woman she would be there for her no matter what and then smiled at the questions.

“Currently I seem to be stronger and with my control when I’m in the same room and touching the person in some way. But I have accidentally wandered while I sleep and found my way in further away.” That was a bit messier, she explained with a chuckle, as that was where her nickname of Fig really started to grow legs. “So far I’m usually just a spectator but some people can see me lurking even when I’m trying not to be seen. I haven’t tried manipulating too much, like planting visions or something like that. Just chatting.” That seemed to be the basics of the power and Aislin felt like getting a better handle on that was better than just ploughing through and doing damage.

A bright peel of laughter escaped at Naomi’s whispered statement a moment later. “Naughty kitty… but I bet you’re right. I’ve flirted with a couple of people but more ‘physical’ interactions are down the list so far.” But maybe she could bump it up a few places since inquiring minds had to know the results. “But how about some real life interactions first? What do you say; shall we cruise the Apple Fest for a hot guy or two? After we slam back a few drinks, of course.” Aislin pointed to the beer tent even though neither one of them would truly feel the alcohol without considerable effort. But it was a traditional part of their routine before hitting the dance floor—even if the festival didn’t truly have one but Aislin saw a few people sway-dancing in the crowd by the stage so that was close enough.

It was appreciated that Aislin hadn’t poked and prodded. The feline wasn’t ready to speak on what happened. It was all too fresh as if it had been yesterday. The nightmares and triggers kept her trapped in a continuous loop that she tried hard to break out of. There had been this fear that talking would break her. It was only fear that spoke, not logic. She kept that too herself, not wanting to spoil the moment or think too heavily. Naomi knew her friend was there and Rafe for whenever she was ready. That had meant more to her than words could express. She gave a gentle squeeze in return as a silently thank you.


She found Aislin’s abilities fascinating as there was a curious glint in her eyes. “Has anyone reported seeing you in solid form or more like a ghost?” The feline was trying to picture how she manifested and what the other person’s experience had been. “Oh this is interesting,” she said with a nod as she processed the information given. “You can easily be dismissed as a dream, granted something that stands out in a dream like a sore thumb.” She shook her head as she spoke. “I can only imagine the odd things and figures you’ve seen. A lot of times they make no sense.” All of this continued to stir within Naomi’s mind as a crooked smirk crossed her lips. “Oh that could be very useful and dangerous, yet intriguing. I want to see how far you will go with this.”


In true Naomi fashion, her mind went there. With such an ability she was curious on the range. At that point it would borderline be a succubus type of situation. It all peaked her interest and wanted to know how far Aislin had been willing to have gone. A little flirting never hurt anyone though and it wasn’t exactly manipulating anyone in their dreams. Naomi’s mind was spiraling down the rabbit hole when her friend mentioned real life interactions. “But of course,” she chuckled. “We could ditch this ride and return to it later.” It wasn’t like people were running to get in line for rides. “What guys have been peaking your interest these days Ms. Vixen,” she teased and led Aislin out of the line. “Or are we see who we can wrap around our fingers.” There had been a warm hum in her words though deep within Naomi had been in a funk. Losing her lover at the time and someone she majorly had a crush on had put a steak in her heart. She was mourning, yet not dealing with it at the same time. The feline would pretend though in order not to kill the mood.


Dark eyes looked towards the beer tend and chuckled. “Too bad there’s nothing hard, but we can save that for later,” she winked. “Maybe through some talking and can persuade the band for more dance-able music. We could always draw people too us.” Back in the days they worked their magical allure which many claimed was a spectacular to see. Of course, they were at a festival so wouldn’t be too that degree.