"I wanna see the octopus, let's see that," Hobie pulled at the leash Nan had attached to him.
His grandma inspected the map, "There is no specific area for those."
"There is, I read it in the pamphlet," Punk insisted, pointing.
"That's the 4D experience. We're going to follow the flow," Jess pointed out for the woman, "They had four of those experiences at, like, six different times. So we'll be able to make at least one octopus one."
"This place is massive," Pav took several pictures as they stood in the entrance.
"Where's the rainforest?" Gwen leaned Gunner back in the stroller, smiling down at the toddler.
"We can break it into groups," MJ suggested. There were four adults to four teenagers and four toddlers, since Jess had opted to bring her nieces. Technically five and a half adults. Miguel and Hobie still counted as adults, mostly.
"I doubt the teens really plan on splitting," Jess waved her hand, "We'll just stay close but let them do their thing."
"Sounds good to me," Nan unleashed Hobie's wrist, sending him off with a gentle swat, "Go play with your friends."
He gave her a thumbs up and hurried to the teens, slipping his hands into his pockets, "How's it going?"
"She let you off the leash? That mad woman," The blonde teased her friend.
"She doesn't have good sense," Punk snickered, looking down at the twins as they took turns nudging each other to poke at his spiked bracelets.
"Your mama shouldn't let you have sharp jewelry," Loey commented.
"It's actually pretty dull," he reached his arm down, letting them both touch his accessories.
"I told you he couldn't have sharp jewelry," Aila chided her twin, "Why do you have so many earrings all over your face?"
He smirked, "Because I'm cool like that."
"Mimi says a magnet could defeat you," Loey told him, causing the others to snicker.
"Yeah? He's just jealous that he's not as cool."
The twins looked at each other and smiled, hurrying ahead to the tank.
"Look at that one! It's Dory!" One of the twins pointed out.
Miguel leaned down, "Yes, that's a blue tang. Do you see Marlon?"
Mayday stood on her toes, upset that Peter took her wall crawlers, but she was still enjoying the view, "There, there he is!" She gasped, pointing to the clownfish.
Just a short time in and the kids, big and small, were enjoying themselves.
"Look at how pretty the reef is," Gwen watched the animals as they swam in their groups.
Miles opted to sit and draw when he saw the turtles. All the running water was extra relaxing.
"Drawing again?" Pav took more pictures, "How's it going?" He leaned down to be impressed, "Ohhh, nice."
"Can we go to the petting area?" Aila gave Miguel big, begging eyes as she shook his leg.
"Let's ask your aunt," he took her hand, walking to Jess.
His appearance interrupted the women's banter.
"Can we go to the petting area next, please?" The five year old repeated the question to the chaperones.
Her aunt looked at the time, "We sure can. Go get the other kids and we can go."
She hopped up and down, excited, pulling her older cousin along back to the others, "Titi said we're gonna go to the petting zoo!"
"There's a petting zoo at the aquarium?" Ben and Pav shared a look of confused fascination.
"Come on, May, we're gonna pet the starfish," Loey took the other toddler girl's hand, "You come too," she took Hobie's hand, "We all have to go together."
"Come on, come on," Aila rushed to pull Miguel and Pav.
"Don't run Aila!" Loey scolded, trying to keep up without running.
"Don't shout!" She scolded back.
X
"Loey is mommy's little helper," Jess smiled, watching as the group made various faces as they touched each little creature, "She's always trying to take care of the other kids."
MJ covered a smile and took a picture as the girl showed her daughter how to pet the stingray, "I can see."
Nan turned a corner of her mouth up in a cringe as she was encouraged to pet one of the fish, "Bleh. Reminds me of when ama would prepare fish fresh after papa took us camping," she shuddered, shaking the water off her hand.
"Doesn't it feel weird?" Pav poked the sturgeon, "Ewww!"
"Its all wrinkly," Ben went back to the stingrays, "I like them better, they're smooth."
"Come pet!" Mayday pulled her mom over, "Its Patrick!"
X
"You guys almost done?" Gwen asked the girls. She had opted to take the girls to the restroom, "Anyone need help?"
"No, I'm a big girl," one of the toddlers said. Mayday perhaps.
"Ok, when you're done Jess says there is a show, then we'll eat."
"Ok," Aila hurried out, washing her hands, "I like your hair, you're really pretty."
"Thanks, I love your hair too. Your mohawk is super cool," Gwen tapped her nose.
"We can do your hair if you come over our house," her eyes got wide at the idea, "Mimi and Virgin let us do their hair."
The teen laughed when the toddler mispronounced Virgil's name, "Ok, maybe I can visit soon."
Aila squealed, "We have so many barrettes that would look good on you!"
X
Pav held his nose, watching Miguel change Gunner, "Pew, how can you take that?"
2099 shrugged. He was so used to it at this point, "Second nature. Why? You want to change him?"
"I'm ok, don't want to interrupt your process bro," he laughed, rushing out before he got forced into it, "Is the whale show next?" He asked Miles and Ben.
"That's what the old lady said," Ben told him, "Man, you guys are so lucky. All the things you get to enjoy!"
"You must not be enjoying it. Another harrowing memory being made?" Miles teased, rolling his eyes at the blonde.
"Oh no, I'm enjoying myself, but I have to beg to come. You guys just get invited."
"Stop being a crybaby. You're still here aren't you?"
"Well…still," he puffed his cheeks in a pout, yelping when Mig yanked his hair in a half scolding, half mocking manner.