Chapter 2-7: A Private Park
The group continues to walk around the park and head to the house.
"I spy some camels on the lawn!" Cater says.
"And that's not all. There are elephants and giraffes too," Trey says.
"People used to travel on camels, since they can go long distances in extreme heat. But now they mainly ferry tourists around to famous spots. We've got elephants and giraffes that do the same thing, too," Jamil says.
"This is seriously just a public park?" Cater asks, surprised, "It feels more like a theme park, or some kind of zoo. Are all parks in the Scalding Sands like this?"
"No, Asim Park is an exception to the norm," Jamil says.
Trey, grim, Cater, even Tanzanite and Cater are shocked, "...What?"
"Did you just say ASIM Park?" Trey asks.
Cater soon realizes, "So this whole place…"
"Yes, it all belongs to the Asim family," Jamil confirms.
Trey, Grim, Jasper & Cater exclaim in shock, "WHAAA?!"
"We're on Asim family property right now?" Trey says, shocked.
"This is a PRIVATE park? I can't believe how big it is!" Cater says.
"More like gigantic," Jasper says.
"Guess that explains why this path leads right to Kalim's doorstep…" Trey says.
"Isn't this technically Kalim's yard?" Cater adds.
"It's a rather bright and open garden, I must say," Malleus replies.
"I have to agree," Tanzanite says.
"The park is so amazing," Sereia says.
"This park is close to the estate, so I used to come here all the time on my breaks," Jamil says.
"Nice place to take a breather," Cater replies, "What'd you like to do out here?"
"Not much. I'd just relax among the trees," Jamil says.
But Kalim says, "Really? I thought you practiced your dance moves."
"...Wait," Jamil says, shocked, "Yes, I would occasionally dance out here when I had a bit of time… But how do YOU know that?"
"I saw you on the security feeds," Kalim answers.
"Only park security has access to those feeds," Jamil points out.
And Kalim explains, "I always wished I could play with you during your breaks. So at first, I'd come out here and try to find you. But this is a big park, you know? It's a real pain to find a single person here. So I'd just ask someone from security to help. And they'd use the security cameras to find you for me! It barely took any time at all."
"Don't abuse your privileges like that!" Jamil says, sounding angry.
Briar, Sereia, Grim, and Trinket begin giggling, trying their best not to laugh.
And Kalim also says, "You'd dance to the music you were listening to on your headphones, right? When I saw you on the monitors, it put me in a dancing mood too! So I'd run right over and join you!"
"No wonder you always found me so fast. I can't believe park security was in cahoots with you…" Jamil says at a dismay.
"Jamil can't catch a break even on his breaks…" Trey says.
"It's not easy being someone's attendant, huh, "Cater says.
"I see you employ robust security measures. How very admirable," Malleus says.
"Malleus, that's not the takeaway here…" Cater says.
"It's still funny though," Jasper says.
"Yeah!" Grim says with a smirk.
And Kalim says, "Yep, we've played here a lot, ever since we were kids. Those were such fun-filled days!"
"More like stress-filled…" Jamil responds.
"We'd play kick-the-can 'til the sun went down. I won every game," Kalim says.
"Of course you did. The park is so big that it'd take hours to find the can after you kicked it. I was utterly exhausted," Jamil says.
"C'mon, let's be real. Jamil totally took a dive," Cater says.
"Yeah, that makes sense," Trey says.
"Poor guy's been driven half neurotic," Cater says.
Trey turns to Cater, "That's funny coming from you."
"Huh? I have no idea what you're talking about," Cater replies.
"I also remember when you insisted the giraffes and elephants wanted to go for a walk, so you let them out of their cages," Jamil says, annoyed.
"Wait, you let the animals loose?" Briar asks, turning to Kalim in surprise.
"OH YEAH! They were all super excited at first!" Kalim happily says, "I remember how they frolicked around."
But Jamil says, "I remember the chaos that ensued when they went out into the streets! Do you have any idea how much of a nightmare it was getting them back in their cages? We had to call in all the staff to surround them…"
"You've had it rough for years, huh, Jamil?" Cater says.
"I guess self-awareness is just a foreign concept to some people," Trey says.
"Chaos ensued simply because a few animals ran away? Now I'm concerned about the city's security, "Malleus says.
"Malleus, that's not the concerning part…" Cater says.
Grim looks around to notice, "I don't see no cages."
"The incident led to a full review of the animals' living conditions. The cages were subsequently removed," Jamil says.
"Yup, now they all get to live even more comfortably. Good for them!" Kalim says.
"...Hats off to you, Jamil," Cater replies.
Then Kalim says, "Oh, hey! I was having such a good time walking and chatting, I didn't even notice we'd reached my house!"