As of late, the castle has had a much higher demand for sorcery. With Cedric (And Greylock, who had been visiting Enchancia for an extended period) being so caught up in work and serving the wishes of the royal family, it had been some time since the sorcerers had given themselves a break. They supposed going out of the castle for an afternoon date would be a rewarding experience after their handful of days staying in the workshop.
The annual village carnival had come to fruition in Dunwiddie, bringing in guests and visitors from across the kingdom. Each year, it is open to the public for a short time in the summer. The weather outside on this particular day was on the cloudier side, although the temperature was still agreeable. Cedric didn't mind the absence of sun- he found the lightly clouded sky to be rather calming while being in a space with far more people walking about than he was accustomed to within the castle grounds.
It hadn't taken long for Greylock to take notice of Cedric's uneasy demeanor. He stopped himself, Cedric following suit.
"Are you alright?" Greylock asked his boyfriend, "You're looking a bit overwhelmed," He commented.
Cedric looked at him and nodded. "Yes, yes, I'll be fine," he said, waving off the other sorcerer's concern. "I'm... just not used to so many people moving about in all different directions. Things are much more organized at the castle." He said, looking forward and observing the countless groups of villagers.
"Surely this isn't your first time?" Greylock questioned, looking at the other man with surprise.
"No, it isn't," Cedric assured. Greylock's expression calmed before the Enchancian continued, "Although it has been quite some time since I've attended a carnival. I was a young lad the last time I went, and I've only ever gone once," he said.
"Besides now," The other man finished.
"Besides now," Cedric affirmed.
Greylock smiled. "In that case, my highest priority will be ensuring you have the best time!" he said, taking Cedric's hand in his. The Enchancian's eyes widened a bit at the enthusiasm. Greylock's expression turned more sheepish as their hands interlocked. "A good time without things getting too overwhelming, that is," He added.
Cedric offered his lover a faint smile in return. "I think that sounds delightful," he said, looking forward as a man approached with a box of cotton candy cones at his waist, looking around and calling out about what he was selling.
Greylock's eyes lit up. He 'ooh'ed at the sight and briefly glanced over at Cedric who was also eyeing the fluffy treats. With that, Greylock grabbed two from the display held by the villager. Cedric noticed how the villager looked as though he were about to say something in distaste of the hasty action. He reached into the sleeve of his robe and flicked a gold coin in his direction as payment. The villager caught the coin in his hand and looked down at it, an astonished smile rising to his face. Suddenly, he felt no need to speak with them, enthusiastically shoving the gold coin into his side pocket instead. Greylock passed one of the two pink cotton candies to Cedric who gladly took the treat.
The two indulged as they continued to walk around, surveying each booth they came across from a short distance. There were several booths containing games, many of which had prizes. They were nothing too astonishing, although both could understand the enjoyment the prizes could and were bringing to children who won them. Cedric had never been too good with the carnival games he'd played when he was younger.
One he eventually came across seemed to resonate more deeply with him in terms of its seemingly simple contents. The stand had a couple small tables with a few milk bottles stacked on each other to create a triangular shape. As he surveyed the stand and looked at what they had to offer for prizes, he noticed a stuffed brown bear with dark green button eyes, a mustard-colored sorcery robe, and a pretend wand attached to its arm. The stuffed animal was hanging on a string toward the top of the stand. Cedric stopped and nudged Greylock's side, pointing over at the bear once he was looking.
Greylock's heart melted a bit at the sight. "Oh, that's so cute," He commented, putting a hand on his heart.
"You reckon I could win it?" Cedric asked, looking down at the other man.
"Of course you could!" He said, releasing their hands and pushing him forward a bit. "Go on, have a crack at it," Greylock encouraged, grinning up at his boyfriend.
Cedric frowned slightly as he began to second-guess his curiosity. He looked over his shoulder at him. "It's not ridiculous of me to try and get it, right?"
Greylock's expression turned serious as he looked up and locked eyes with him. "Cedric, if you want that adorable stuffed bear, you go and get that bear," He said, placing a hand on the sorcerer's shoulder from behind. "Here, I'll come along with you," He said, walking them both close to the stand.
"You would have come with me either way," Cedric replied, despite a smile returning to his face at the gesture. Greylock shrugged and took the other man's cotton candy into his own spare hand to hold it for him.
A young boy was just leaving the stand after knocking only the top bottle off of the stack, winning him a lollipop. Cedric nervously approached the stand, fidgeting with his hands. The man running the stand greeted the Enchancian after noticing him there and briefly explained the rules of the game. Cedric figured it was easy enough and agreed to its rules, handing the man a ticket.
He was soon handed a ball and told that he only had one attempt to knock down the bottles, as well as how knocking the three over would earn him a prize of his choosing from above. Cedric eagerly nodded at hearing about the prizes and eventually took a step back, ball in hand. He turned to look beside him at his boyfriend. Greylock gave him two encouraging thumbs up, paired with a charming smile. The sorcerer whimpered slightly and turned back, squinting his eyes at the bottles as he aimed.
The ball flew out of his hand as he released, heading toward the center of the stack. Cedric grinned as it hit close to the middle but frowned at seeing the ball fall without knocking over any of the bottles.
"Ooh, tough luck," The villager said, picking the ball up from the ground and adjusting the bottom bottle which had slightly moved from the throw.
Cedric scowled at the comment. "No, I'll... I'll go again," He said, pulling another ticket out from his sleeve. The man took his ticket and handed the ball back to him.
The sorcerer had a determined look on his face. Greylock admired how focused Cedric appeared to be here, trying to figure out what the most efficient way to take his chance. The Enchancian, after a moment, threw the ball once more. The ball hit the top bottle, knocking it down from the stack. Greylock cheered at the partially successful throw, but Cedric groaned at the outcome.
The villager grabbed a lollipop from underneath the counter, holding it up. "Congratulations!" He said, offering it to the sorcerer. With a scowl, Cedric snatched the candy from his hand and placed it down on the wooden countertop. The other man was left confused.
"What, you don't want the sucker?" He asked. "I've got some mints, instead," He offered, looking down at the shelf underneath the counter.
"I don't care about a silly lolly, my throw wasn't good enough!" Cedric impatiently replied, thrusting his arm back into his robe and holding a third ticket out in his direction, "Again," He commanded sharply, gesturing for the ball with his other hand. Greylock tilted his head to the side a bit as he watched the rapid exchange.
The villager handed the ball back to him. "I'll say, you certainly brought some determination along with yo-" He commented, stopping and frantically ducking as Cedric frustratedly threw the ball toward the bottles once more. Greylock gasped at the shockingly fast move and briefly looked over at the ducking man.
Cedric stared hard as the ball missed the stack of bottles, flying to the side of them and hitting the painted, wood wall at the back of the stand. The ball bounced off it and back in their direction. He quickly noticed the way it flew toward Greylock. Cedric exclaimed as he scrambled to catch the ball, managing to grab it in time with one thoroughly extended hand. Greylock, with shut eyes, had his head and face covered with his hands and was ducking a bit, as well. He cautiously opened one eye to see his boyfriend holding the ball, looking behind himself to meet his eyes.
A look of shock on the Enchancian's face changed to one of remorse. He let his arm lower and held his other out toward Greylock. "Oh... Greylock, I'm... are you okay?" He asked, only partially calming as he was given an affirmative nod.
"I'm just fine- good catch!" Greylock said, offering him a sheepish smile. Cedric frowned and looked down at the ball in his hand. He scowled once more and frustratedly set it down on the counter, turning back and walking off a bit. The other man was taken by surprise at his reaction, his hands falling to his sides and dropping their cotton candies without particularly realizing.
The villager sighed as the couple left the stand. "Royals," He muttered to himself.
Cedric hardly passed the neighboring stand before he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked beside himself at Greylock who wore a look of pity. The other sorcerer scoffed at the sympathy and folded his arms, diverting eye contact.
"It's alright, I'm sure you could get it right on the next one," Greylock tried to encourage.
"I wouldn't, and I won't- I'm not trying again," Cedric grumbled. "I... I don't care anymore," He claimed, his eyes suddenly finding the grass to be much more interesting. Greylock could see through the other man and had a feeling he wasn't being entirely truthful with his claim. He trailed his hand away from his shoulder and left his side. Cedric felt the loss of touch and heard the gentle rustling of the grass below them as Greylock walked away.
The Enchancian turned around, confusion in his face. He was unsure of what Greylock had done this for. "What is it?" He asked, following behind his boyfriend. "Have I done something?" He asked as Greylock stopped in his tracks by the original stand, himself following suit.
"Not to worry! You're perfectly fine," Greylock assured, clasping his hands behind his back and stretching them away from himself. He then did the opposite and stretched them in front of himself.
Cedric was confused by the other man's plans. "Then what are you doing?" He asked as his boyfriend made large circles with his dominant hand. He paused and looked back at him with a small smile.
"I'm winning you that bear, of course," He replied, reaching into his sleeve and taking a step forward toward the counter. The villager looked at the man and, somewhat reluctantly, took his ticket. After being handed the ball, Greylock took a step back.
"You don't have to do this," Cedric said, fidgeting with his hands once more. "It's not your fault I'm a terrible thrower,"
Greylock shut one eye, pulling his arm back with the ball in hand. "You're not a terrible throw," He replied, half-listening as he aimed.
"I suppose you never paid attention to me when we played dodgeball back in school, then," Cedric said, folding his arms. Greylock did not respond, instead opening the eye he had closed. He gave two gentle back and fourth arm movements before releasing hard on the third. The ball flung toward the milk bottles, hitting them at the center. The three bottles toppled and fell to the floor, one barely hanging on to the table. Both Cedric and the villager's eyes widened at the throw, and Greylock pumped his fists happily in the air with a short jump.
"Well, fair is fair," The man said, holding a hand up above himself and gesturing to the prizes above. "Choose whichever one you'd like," He said.
Greylock looked back at his astonished boyfriend. His shock brought a brighter smile to his face. "Same bear, Cardtrick?" He asked. At Cedric's affirmative nod, the other sorcerer kindly requested the particular stuffed animal sorcerer. He thanked the villager as he was handed the prize and walked it over to Cedric.
"I believe this is for you, my good man," Greylock jested, bowing slightly as he handed the bear over.
Cedric eagerly took the bear and stared down at it as he held it in his hands. He smiled. "Well... thank you, Greylock," He said, holding the bear beside himself.
"Your happiness is music to my ears," He replied, briefly lifting Cedric's hand and giving it a gentle kiss. Cedric blushed slightly at the response, although his attention soon shifted to a particular sound he heard in the distance.
"Speaking of..," Cedric began, looking around. "I think I do hear some music," He said, eventually laying his eyes on a particular ride with several painted, wood horses.
Greylock cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck. "My, how strange for that to have appeared just today," He bluffed, putting his hands behind his back.
Cedric looked at him with a slight smirk. "What, you did this?" He asked, pointing to the carousel. He hadn't noticed it in full until now.
"What- me? Summon a carousel with your favorite horses and colors for our date out of the castle?" Greylock replied, pretending to be taken aback by the absurd suggestion. He offered a sly smirk back at his boyfriend. "Of course I did," He said, sending a wink his way.
"I feel like I should have expected something like this from you," Cedric commented. "I've seen you do the spell before," He added, putting a hand on his hip.
Greylock rolled his eyes. "Oh, never mind that," He said with a dismissive wave of his hand. He then moved to hold Cedric's. "Would you like to try it?" He asked.
Cedric stared at the carousel for a moment before his loving gaze moved to look back at the other man. "I'll give it a go."