Ch. 11: Double Date at the Fair
When Jennifer heard that the town's fair was going on, she thought it was the right event to try the double date again. She told Audrey, Nathan, and Duke about her idea, and the night she wanted the double date, the fair was having a fireworks display. No one could disagree with her, and Jennifer was absolutely thrilled.
Jennifer and Audrey decided to wear simple, yet pretty dresses, while Duke and Nathan wore plain outfits to blend into the crowds at the fair.
They started the night meeting at Duke's cabin a little after sundown, where Duke prepared the salmon for dinner. Everyone, including Nathan, had to praise Duke on his cooking skills.
After dinner, they headed to the fair. Even though it was now dark and most of the games and rides were closed, the fairgrounds were filled with lights and activities. Since the fireworks show wasn't going to start in an hour, they decided to explore and have fun at the fair. The first section they entered was the games area. The men offered to win prizes for their girlfriends, who thought the gesture was very cute and sweet of them. Nathan and Audrey went over to a darts booth game, while Jennifer and Duke headed for a booth were you had to knock down a stack of bottles with a ball to win a prize. When Duke and Jennifer reached the booth, they saw a young boy trying to knock down the bottles, but he had no luck.
"I heard some of these games are rigged," Jennifer said, seeing the disappointed expression on the boy's face as he slowly walked back to his parents. "I wish I could arrest people who scam others out of their money."
"Well, there is a better and more entertaining way," Duke said, making Jennifer look at him, and he smiled. "Beat them at their own game."
Jennifer smiled and Duke took out his money.
"Excuse me," Duke said, acting naïve. The sleazy looking man with the handlebar mustache and the muttonchops turned to face him. Meanwhile, Jennifer kindly asked the family to stay in a soft voice. "If I knock down both sets of bottles, do I get two prizes?"
"Well, it's going to cost you double, but sure you can," the man encouraged. "Go ahead! Give it your best shot, sonny-boy!"
Duke gave the man the money, while Jennifer stood next to him. Duke examined the booth and made his calculations. He threw the ball at a post, and it ricocheted off that post, onto another post, and then the ball smashed through both sets of bottles. Jennifer and the boy cheered, while the man's jaw dropped, looking shocked. He then glared at Duke, who gave the man a mischievous smile and a knowing look in his eyes.
"Now see here—" the man began.
"Perhaps you should let us choose our prizes," Duke said in a low voice. "Unless you want me to share how these games really work. Hey, kid—"
"Today's your lucky day! This fine, young, gentleman won you a prize!" the carnie quickly said, as Duke and Jennifer smiled. "Pick your prize!"
The boy smiled as he picked out a large wolf stuffed animal, and he and his family thanked Duke and Jennifer before they left. Jennifer picked out a medium-sized otter, which made Duke grin.
"You were right," Jennifer said, wrapping her arm around Duke's arm as they walked over to Nathan and Audrey, who was holding the prize Nathan won for her: a cute pony-stuffie. "That was entertaining."
Next, the two couples decided to visit the animal area before it closed. This is where the contestants for Best Farm Animal housed their animals. Jennifer had to coo and pet the animals, while Nathan and Audrey congratulate the winners. Duke had friendly conversations with the animals and laughed hearing the gossip the farm animals shared with him, which caused bystanders to look at him quizzically. Then they headed in the craft building where they admired detailed embroidery pieces, beautiful handmade quilts, and lovely tapestries.
The two couples spotted an ice cream stand after they exited the craft building, and treated themselves to some sweets. The stand sold good quality ice cream and everyone enjoyed their own choice, and didn't minds sharing with the others. Jennifer didn't believe Duke that it was his otter instincts that made him lick the ice cream off her face, while Nathan fed Audrey his ice cream from his spoon. They ate their ice cream while listening to the wandering mistrals.
After the ice cream, the four quickly toured the horticultural area before it closed as well. There they saw the people who won in all the categories: biggest, most colorful, most tasty, and others. They even tried out the free fruit samples the farmers offered. They then looked at the beautiful, fragrant flowers which were on display.
Next they entered the art building. Here many paintings from different genre were displayed. The paintings varied in sizes, color themes, and materials. There were also statues as well. Like the paintings, the statues varied in the material from which they were created, like wood, glass, stone, metal, and marble. They came in assorted sizes. The biggest one was as large as a carriage, while the smallest statue could fit in the palm of your hand. Once again, the genre ranged from abstract to classical.
Soon the fireworks display was ready to start. After the two couples found a good place to sit and watch, Nathan and Duke laid out old blankets for all of them to sit on. Once they all sat down, Audrey leaned her head on Nathan's shoulder, while Jennifer sat on Duke's lap, and leaned her head against Duke's chest, as he wrapped his arms around her.
The fireworks display was spectacular. The fireworks exploded in a multitude of colors. Some were monochromatic, while others were multicolored, but every single one was amazing to watch. There were even fireworks that left a shower of glitter after they exploded. There were big singular fireworks and small ones that exploded together. Once the fireworks were over, Audrey kissed Nathan and Jennifer kissed Duke.
After the fair was closed, the four of them went back to Duke's cabin to talk and sleep for a bit. Before dawn, Nathan and Audrey headed home, but Jennifer wanted to stay with Duke a little bit longer. They took a walk along the side of Rouge Pond, holding hands.
"What's on your mind?" Jennifer asked, seeing the thoughtful look in Duke's eyes as they walked.
"I realized that was the most fun I had in a long time," Duke said.
"Really?" Jennifer asked, sounding a little surprised.
"I mean, I went out and partied before, but this time I really had fun and enjoyed everything," Duke said as they stopped and he looked at her, "especially since you were there with me, Jennifer."
Jennifer smiled and blushed a little. They then hugged and kissed each other. Duke felt the sun was about to rise, and gently and slowly pulled away, but Jennifer held on to him.
"Jennifer, the sun is about to come up," Duke said. "You have to let me go."
"No," Jennifer said as she held him tighter and rested her chin on his shoulder. "I don't want to let you go."
Duke's eyes widen is surprise and before he could say anything to Jennifer, the sun rose, and the changes started. Jennifer felt Duke's clothes fade away as he shrank. She looked up at his face to see fur sprouting and a muzzle forming. Webbing spread in-between his digits as his fingers shorted, turning his hands into paws. Whiskers grew from his face as his ears shrank and moved to the top of his head. A long taper tail grew from the base of his spine.
When the sun rose above the horizon, Jennifer was hugging a river otter, who had his arms wrapped around her neck. Jennifer reluctantly and slowly let him go and placed him on the ground. She sat there, looking at him for the longest time, while Duke watched her, wondering what Jennifer was thinking. Soon Jennifer leaned in close and kissed Duke on his nose.
"I love you, Duke," Jennifer said, after the kiss. "Which is why, starting now, I'm going to find a way for you to live at True Heart Castle."
Duke could only blink hearing this, but then he chuckled, trying to motion Jennifer to lean in closer. When she was close enough, he stood on his hind legs and licked her lips. She giggled after his 'kiss' and held his paws in her hands.
"We're going to break your curses, Duke," Jennifer said. "I feel we can do it."