47
They entered the old fair grounds and immediately checked the fences finding them all intact and no sign the Others had managed to get in. Jack watched Ianto's fine nose wrinkle as he stalked about searching for scent and then he turned to Jack with a look of triumph.
Nothing.
In all the time that this poor old place had stood here, not a single Other had managed to find a way in.
"Shame we can't transplant the house" Owen said as he looked around, "Look at all this."
"Too close to people" Ianto replied softly and then smiled, "Besides, the fences are transportable. We just roll them up, cement them in around the property and there ya go. Look at the size of this, not only safety for the children but the stock as well. Look at it."
Owen stalked over to what appeared to be a donkey and clambered on, then squeaked as it started to rock back and forth, everyone laughing as he clutched at the handgrips painted to look like reins, laughing with excitement.
"Kinetic energy" Jack said with wonder, "Shit. Some of these still work."
"Any that do, we might take too" Ianto swung to address the men, "We spend today looking at that, deciding what we take for the babans. Only once we have stripped inside do we remove the fences, while they are up we are safe in here."
"Help" Owen choked with laughter, "how the hell do I get off?"
Mace walked over and plucked him off then helped him stand, both laughing as John watched his lover pat Owen on the head and look over at him with affection. Ianto noticed and smiled softly, glad to see things were still progressing there.
"Inside" Ianto said to Jack and they left the others going over old rides then Jack unlocked the door to let Ianto in and Ianto let out a breath of relief as the shadows enveloped him as he pulled off the wide brimmed hat to look around.
"You OK love?"
"Yeah, just a bit bright out there" Ianto turned to smile at Jack, leaning in for a kiss, "Do you think this could work?"
"I know this will work" Jack confirmed for him gently, "I think this is a brilliant move and I know Winkle will want those!"
Ianto turned to see what Jack was pointing at and saw toys stuck on a wall behind a stand with things set up, "what is it?"
"It's a fixed game, come look" Jack led him over with a hand to the small for his back, a show of affection and protection that felt oddly comforting and Ianto watched Jack pick up a ball then throw it at the wall making dust fly everywhere as they laughed, then it seemed to tumbled though things and land next to a number. "They are always rigged so the punter thinks they have a chance but the balls are always bigger than the space they need to fall through for the big prizes, only little prizes won with a lot of fanfare."
"Cheating!"
"Exactly, I worked one of theses in the summer when I was a teenager" Jack laughed at Ianto's look of confusion, "Everyone knows they are rigged love, that's part of the game. You pretend you might win anyway then settle for what you do get like it's what you were aiming for. Been around for centuries."
"I… I don't like crowds, never been to one of these" Ianto moved around the side of the display and to the wall, plucking a toy pulse gun form the board and pulling the trigger, laughing as a small sound emitted.
"Batteries still work" Jack pointed out, "Wow. Must have been at least ten years since the Others migrated this way, look at that."
Ianto looked around at the stalls all along the large barn-line interior.
"We take everything … no. We take most, we leave some so when we go the local kids can scavenge and find some cool treats left behind" Ianto said firmly, "No way we need all this."
Jack pulled him close and kissed his forehead lovingly, "Softie."
Ianto canted his head and they kissed, then a throat clearing had them parting to look back.
"Sorry… Owen is…ah….stuck." Mace sighed, "Johnny wants to cut him out, Owen wants the ride he is currently struck in and they are screaming at each other like three year olds."
"Don't tell me" Jack sighed, "John wanted a go and Owen beat him to it?"
"Yeah" Mace started to giggle, "I had no idea Johnny could be so juvenile. He's filthy from all the shit has clambered on, will need a hose down."
"Not the first time" Jack winked and the two headed out to pull Owen from the …whatever and Ianto explored some more feeling sorrow that he had missed out on what had clearly once been a lot of fun.
Then he looked out the window to find Jack standing on the back of a large red bug, his arms under Owen's yanking with all his might as Mace and John scuttled about trying to work out where to stand to catch them when they flew back and he grinned, watching Owen pop out and all four men wind up on the ground shrieking with mirth.
Still fun to be had.
This could all be shiny again.