[Private] Meeting at the fantasy park

[fallingfloweret]

The space around Acacia filled with noise. The mumble of business tore her concentration. Her blue-green eyes blinked to adjust to her new surroundings in a panic. There were people all around her, but no one seemed to care that she had appeared out of nowhere. As thankful as she was for that, Acacia still felt tense. Where was her friend? The door had closed already. Did that mean she was alone? Had she escaped?

More questions bounced around in her mind as she began to explore her new surroundings. As she emerged from between two buildings, the young girl took a quick glance down the path. This place seemed normal enough... for some type of an amusement park. Without warning, she heard the all-too familiar sound of a portal opening from behind her. Not waiting to see if whoever stepped through was friend or foe, Acacia began quick steps down the street past all the windows full of colorful displays.

A quick glance behind herself, where she came from, rewards her by bumping into someone in front.

"Ah! I-I'm sorry."

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[shadesofsentience]

ALAR-174 perched near a fountain as crowds surged past him. He posed for maximum effect with one booted foot against the concrete, his tunic and cambric shirt glistening between the waterfall and the sun. It was one of many suggested poses and positions loaded into the database for this type of task, weather considered. He ought to have stared ahead with an opaque expression. Instead, he kept glancing at and recording images of the guests. Some of them wore period clothing and sported tiny pointed ears, masks, or wigs mixed with the fashions of the outside world. Almost as if they wished to be part magical creature themselves.

After twenty minutes at his location, he roused himself from people watching to either find a new area or walk among the guests until an opportunity presented itself. He fitted more or less seamlessly into the throng of people, despite glances and pointed fingers. He only smiled at those and offered a considered nod or a gentle 'hello,' and elvish greeting to anyone who addressed him directly.

Then, suddenly, a young woman ploughed into him. Her head was turned and she seemed to be regarding the crowds with some tension. Perhaps she had become separated from her family or friends? To him, she appeared to be yet another part-elven guest with her pointed ears and purple hair dye. Although her accoutrements were far more seamless than the popular clay ear molds from the shops.

Alar leaned down to greet the guest with a smile. "It's all right, I was not harmed. Are you lost, miss? Shall I escort you to the central office?"

[fallingfloweret]

Acacia took a step back and quickly swept her eyes over the man kneeling before her. "Yes," her eyes grew wide, "I mean no. Not the central office." Her gaze whipped behind once more to scan the area where she had arrived. As she turned back around, something came to her.

Cheeks filling with embarrassment, Acacia realized this man was acting as though she was a small child of some kind. Her eyes darted between him and their surroundings. It's then she figures to use this situation to her advantage and extended her finger to point towards a ride, the highest one she could see.

"I just need to get there. Can you take me?" A smile tried to form on her face but urgency in her eyes made it hard to remain believable.

[shadesofsentience]

Alar offered a hand to the young woman. His gentle smile widened in an attempt to reassure her, as he registered her conflicting facial expressions as distress. She must be attempting to remain calm in this public setting. Duplicity or manipulation didn't occur to him. He'd always found it difficult to recognize those in a person, unless they were quite direct or cruel about it. Nor did her request seem odd. Perhaps her family were in line for that particular ride.

"Of course. As you wish, I will certainly escort you."

The android slipped his gloved fingers into hers and tugged her into the flowing mass of people. Soon, people began to point and greet both of them, many assuming that Acacia was supposed to be Alar's daughter. He gave a puzzled little headtilt at their attention, but he wasn't certain if he ought to correct them if the girl found their attention enjoyable.

He leaned over to whisper in her ear with a too-serious expression "Shall I tell them you aren't an employee, miss?"

[fallingfloweret]

An employee...? That wasn't what she would have thought to call him, but given their surroundings, she accepted the term easily. This was some sort of amusement park, after all. At least she was lucky enough to run into one of their employees rather than someone else.

"No, no. Let's just... play along. It's kind of fun and everyone else seems to be enjoying it, too." Although fun was far from what she was feeling. Even though, for a small moment she mused herself with the idea of the man holder her hand to actually be her father. For all she knew, he very well could be, especially since they shared a similar tan color of skin and ear type.

As they were greeted, Acacia did her best to mimic her escort's mannerisms and act the part of his daughter. If only her spirit friend were with her to be her second pair of eyes. Then, perhaps she could really enjoy herself for the moment. Those thoughts were quickly swallowed up with fear as she caught a glimpse of her pursuers. Or so she thinks it was one of them. It was so difficult to tell who was in costume and who wasn't. Without realizing it, she was clinging to her momentary father's arm and tugged him to continue towards the ride in silence.

[shadesofsentience]

"Ah, yes. You resemble an elf almost perfectly."

Alar cupped his hand to whisper to her, as a few in the crowd seemed interested in their conversation. Eventually they pulled a bit ahead of the crowd, far enough apart to speak normally. Pleasure sparked in his silver eyes despite his grave expression. This was new, different, and fun, while still adhering to his work parameters. None of the managers would scold him for assisting a guest, or at least he didn't think so.

"Your hair color is the only imperfection," he said, drawing his free hand back to stroke his chin. "Even I or my co-workers could be fooled, otherwise."

The android followed her gaze back into the crowd. He almost stopped to allow his new companion a better glimpse at the people, in case she recognized someone. Instead the girl clung to him and pulled him along at the same time. He blinked in confusion but submitted to her wishes, picking up his steps to match her pace. Shops blurred past with their bright displays of trinkets and wafting food smells.

Nor did he understand her mute request for silence.

"Shall we make haste to the attraction? I could lead you through the crowds as quickly as possible, if you wish."

[fallingfloweret]

Her hair. Why hadn't she thought of that? Of course she'd stand out. It was still difficult to imagine having any color hair besides brown, since that's what Acacia grew up believing. Her swift walk ended abruptly in the doorway of a shop before she quickly made her way in. As soon as she entered she was greeted by a bright face belonging to a very slender and beautiful woman with light ash-brown hair. Acacia froze in fear at the sight of the woman, until she realized this was merely the store's clerk. Feeling silly, Acacia nodded and gave a smile in return, thinking how the clerk could have been an angel if not for her pointed ears.

"I need to stop in here first!" Acacia waved to her guide to join her, not wanting to lose him to someone else. After all, he made for good cover. At first, Acacia was thinking of simply snatching a hat to cover her hair, but looking around she began to notice there was far more than that. The walls and shelves were dressed up in costume garments and accessories. There was a couple on the opposite side of the store who were giggling as they tried on beards together.

Her eyes skimmed the hats and wigs, but then back at her guide. "You're right about my hair. Can you, um, maybe pick something more convincing for me?"

[shadesofsentience]

Alar stumbled at their abrupt stop. He nearly pitched to the ground, but managed to escape disaster by grasping a colorful pole that held up a shop's awning. It wobbled back and forth precariously as he steadied himself. His face remained serene despite the awkward moment. He was quite used to such things, as he couldn't always predict what humans would do.

"Please forgive me," he offered, but the girl had already disappeared into the store. He waited for her with the same patience a dog might show if it was left outside for its master to shop. If anything, he felt quite cheerful that she might return and resume their game together. After a moment, he stood on tiptoe to peer into the aisles of wigs, beards, and other hairy parts.

But then Acacia popped out to wave him into the shop with her! He beamed and trotted inside, stopping to greet the clerk politely and by her elven stage name, as was required in the presence of park guests. He meant to simply follow his charge through the selection to make suggestions, but then he noticed the bearded man and lady. He paused, stared...and slowly took a dozen mental photographs to add to his database.

One of them gave him a strange look, so he headed back to gaze at the headgear with Acacia. "You wish me to choose a wig?" He looked at the girl, then at the wall, then at the girl and then at the wall again. No one had ever asked him to choose their accessories before. He had no idea how to even begin.

Which is probably why he chose a blond wig with curls as large as a squid's tentacles. He plopped it on her head, adjusted it, and stared into the mirror, tilting his head (and her head) back and forth as he tried to measure the effect.

"I'm not certain the color suits you."

[fallingfloweret]

Acacia hadn't paid attention when Alar greeted the clerk, or when she responded to him by name. Her focus was a disguise, so she nodded when her guide verified her question.

Only, suddenly there were blond curls flopping into her face, itching her nose and cheeks. Now she was the one looking angelic. She nearly lets Alar finish touching up the wig before giving him a sullen look.

"Of course it doesn't suit me." Acacia yanks the wig off and holds it up to Alar's face.

"Would this look good on you?" She huffs, leaving the wig in his care, expecting him to pick a better one.

[shadesofsentience]

"On me?"

Alar lifted the discarded wig and plopped it atop his dark hair. He couldn't fit it properly around his scalp, so at best it looked like a blond squid had taken up residence on his head. When he lifted his hand, the monstrosity clung to him without falling off, though some of the curls slid into his face.

"....I'm not certain it looks good on me, either."

But he did find the affect rather interesting. He didn't see why he should remove the wig, at least not right away. Instead he chose a better groomed dark wig similar to his 'natural' hair. He carefully smoothed the girl's wayward hair into its confines, then peered once again into the mirror with her. He smiled through his weird curls.

"I prefer this one for you."

[fallingfloweret]

First came a snort only to be followed by laughter. The sight of the blond tumbleweed of curls on Alar's masculine face was more than Acacia could handle. The only thing that helped her calm down was the new distraction of a wig being placed upon her own head. She allowed her guide to fix to her head.

A smile spread across her face as she peered at herself in the mirror. However, that quickly turned into giggles when she looked up at Alar's reflection.

"I like mine, but you-" Acacia covered her mouth to keep from laughing once more, "Let's get you something better."

Taking a step to the side, Acacia turned around, away from the wigs, and looked through a bin of hats nearby. Her fingers run over a few velvet hats before she chooses a blue fedora of sorts and presents it to Alar.

"Try this on instead. I think you're much better suited for this than that hairball of a wig."