~Tortall Hits the Mall~
~Owen's Adventure~

A giant mechanical roar filled the air underneath the thick glass roof that enclosed Camp Snoopy, the amusement park in the center of the Mall of America. An annoying sort of tune traveled across the patches of astro-turf and plastic cobbled paths. "Jolly!" Said Owen aloud. "What strange structures these are!" He proclaimed, gazing at the rides and attractions. He began to stroll down the plasto "roads" and finally stopped at a tall wooden building that caught his interest. "Pe...pep...pepsi...ripsaw...roller coaster...?" What was a roller coaster? He stared up at the long forest-green track containing small coach-like boxes balanced on the main beam. "Well, I've nothing to lose!" He said merrily as he headed toward the building. He climbed the many stairs and was eventually lead to a long line of people. *What are they all standing around for?* He mused. Ahh, well, it was no concern of his. "Excuse me! Pardon me, good sir. I must get to the pepsi ripsaw roller coaster!"

He finally managed to push his way to the front of the line. He burst through the gate and turn-style. The cars appeared to be full, but then an empty seat at the very back of the train opened up and Owen immediately took the oppertunity to leap in the air, scream "Jolly!" at the top of his voice, and leap into the vacant car.

"Hey! This ride costs six points!" Yelled the attendant.

"Dude! He skipped!" Hollered another.

*Skipped?* Thought Owen to himself. *Skipped what?*

The coaster gave a mighty screech as it began to chug it's way up the first hill in the track. "Jolly, and yet confusing." Remarked Owen. "Where are the horses? This isn't-" but he could say no more, for the pepsi ripsaw had just begun its first series of gut-wrenching turns. All sense of direction was taken from him, and the only thing left to do was scream...really loud.

*What is this black thing for* He wondered, trying to find something to stop him from flying clear out of the seat. He gave the black bar a hard tug. It gave a small click and at the same time gave Owen a sense of pride for being able to figure out the safety bar. This was surely an accomplishment above all.

Soon, a sick feeling found it's way into the pit of the squire's stomach. "I...I think...oh, holy Mithros I'm gonna..."

It doesn't take a genius to figure out what happened next. Bam. Owen's breakfast- all over the unsuspecting crowd below. And let me tell you, it was not exactly what would be known as a pretty sight. Lord Wlydon's "homemade" porridge never came up easily.

When at last the horrible horseless ride had come to a halt, Owen scrambled out of his seat and found himself being pushed by the crowd down a series of stairs with a sign reading "EXIT" hanging above the landing. He followed more astro-turf to a squat kiosk with a line of boxes with glass screens lined up across the front.

"Jolly! It's me!" Said Owen joyfully. And it was, a picture of him anyway. A picture of Owen with his mouth sretched wide in mid-scream.
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He he he! I need a hobby... :)