Chapter 265: Dreamland Park Station, Smoke Kitten
’She kept thinking and thinking, until it finally hit her: she’d completely forgotten to invite Yvonne Lynch.’
’Ugh...’
’I hope she won’t mind. It’s not like I forgot her on purpose.’
’It’s just that when the event started, she didn’t even cross my mind.’
Sophie Chapman saw the momentary change in her expression and assumed she was intimidated by her princess, Melissa.
’Looks like I won’t even have to warn her to stay away from the man Princess Melissa likes.’
’I have to keep a close eye on this woman. When I get back and report this, I’ll definitely get a reward from Princess Melissa.’
’Even if, in our people’s eyes, Islander 98 isn’t the best choice for the princess’s husband.’
Faye Yardley had no idea what the young woman across from her was thinking. Her mind was on trying to invite Yvonne Lynch at the entrance of Dreamland Park once she got off the bus. If she couldn’t be invited, well, it wouldn’t be her fault.
’Yep, that’s the plan.’
She turned her head to look out the window. There were a lot of people outside, but the bus wasn’t moving slowly. It seemed to pass right through the bodies of all the pedestrians.
BING-BONG! Arriving at The Third Man Inn. Passengers for this stop, please disembark promptly. The next stop is the terminus: Dreamland Park.
Faye Yardley didn’t move, but with a great RUSTLE and bustle, many people stood up and got off at this stop. At the same time, a new stream of passengers boarded.
Among the new arrivals were many Commonfolk, but one look at their features told you they weren’t Veridian. Besides, they were all speaking the common languages of Freyan and Vessia.
After a moment’s thought, Faye Yardley decided to ask the bearded man in the adjacent aisle seat, "Hello, sorry to bother you, but did you just come from The Third Man Inn?"
Hearing their language spoken with a distinct Veridian accent, the bearded man let out a laugh, not bothering to be secretive. "Yes, we were lucky enough to get out of The Third Man Inn."
"It’s almost night. Weren’t you planning on staying there?"
The man stroked his beard. "Well, it’s not that we didn’t want to stay. The lodging fees are just too expensive. We didn’t think it was a good deal."
"How much?"
Shaking his head, the bearded man threw up his hands. "Everyone’s price is different, so I can’t tell you what yours would be. But the higher your reputation, the better the service you get. My friend has 100 reputation value, and his room only cost 10 silver coins."
The bearded man’s companion poked his head out to greet Faye Yardley. "Hey, pretty lady," he said, "if you have a choice, don’t go to that inn. If you want to stay but don’t have the money, they let you pay with body parts."
"Thank you for the warning. I’ll keep that in mind." Then Faye Yardley turned back to the bearded man and thanked him earnestly. "Thank you so much for sharing this information with me."
"Don’t mention it. We were all Aquarians once, weren’t we?"
Faye Yardley returned his smile with a nod.
She glanced out the window at the resplendent inn. There was no shortage of guests coming and going.
’So that’s what reputation value can be used for.’
’With my reputation value at nearly ten thousand, what kind of treatment would I get?’
In the time it took to exchange a few words, the bus was already on its way again.
Faye Yardley still preferred to trust the choice her intuition had made.
About six minutes later, they arrived at Dreamland Park Station.
Faye Yardley’s group of three got off the bus. Sophie Chapman glanced outside, stomped her foot, and followed with gritted teeth.
The bearded man and his companions didn’t get off at this stop.
After getting off the bus, Faye Yardley noticed the station sign indicated routes to the Valley of Oblivion and Newtown Hospital Station.
’But if I remember correctly, the announcement definitely said this was the final stop.’
’Or was it only the final stop for the group of us who got on at the food street?’
"Sister, the entrance to Dreamland Park is over there! Let’s go!" Eamon said, looking very excited.
The two Little Green Men from before had also gotten off at this stop and were following a short distance behind.
Faye Yardley’s gaze swept over them and Sophie Chapman before she strode toward the main gate.
Eamon ran straight for the ticket booth. "I’ll go buy the tickets!"
Upon entering Dreamland Park’s gates, everyone was assigned a fantastical-looking kitten made of smoke.
A rainbow-colored kitten floated by Faye Yardley’s left shoulder. It made her think of Blackwood back home; if he hadn’t passed out in a meat-induced coma, he probably would have come with her.
"Hello, beautiful guest. I am your exclusive attendant, Rainbow 10. I will be your guide in Dreamland Park!"
’I can’t believe the smoke kitten can actually talk.’
Faye Yardley turned and smiled at it. "Hello, Ten. Do you have any recommendations for rides or attractions?"
"You can start with the Infinite Tunnel over there, then enter the Dazzling Floating Clouds. After descending from the clouds, you can also play Flower Sea Hide-and-Seek. By the time you finish these four activities, your visiting time will be just about up."
"That sounds great. I’ll ask my companions."
Cole Kensington would naturally do whatever she wanted to do. Eamon, however, was conflicted. He was afraid of heights and didn’t want to do the cloud-descent activity.
’But if he split up with his sister, he wasn’t sure if he could get back safely on his own.’
Faye Yardley asked him directly, "So what activities did it recommend for you?"
"The Dream Carriage Jungle Tour. After that is Flower Sea Hide-and-Seek, then I can go to the Mushroom House for some puzzle games, and finally, boating on Dream Lake."
"That sounds pretty great, too."
Rainbow 10 chimed in hastily, "That route isn’t very suitable for you, guest. You’d be better off choosing the one I suggested."
The red-and-black kitten next to Cole Kensington seemed quite aloof. It remained silent, as if it would just go along with any decision, like an employee who’d been forced to come to work.
The two Little Green Men who had been following them came over and extended an invitation to Eamon. Their kittens hadn’t offered them a planned route either, so they wanted to go with him.
After all, when a guide proactively offered a route, it was usually a perfect fit, adding a +1 to the fun factor.
Seeing how conflicted Eamon was, Faye Yardley said, "Your route is slower, and mine is faster. We might even be able to meet up at Flower Sea Hide-and-Seek. Besides, I’ll know where you are. Don’t worry, you won’t get lost."
"Okay, thank you, Sister! I’ll go with my people then."
Rainbow 10 was thrilled that Faye Yardley had ultimately chosen its planned route. It was an exciting and fun path, and following it would enhance the kitten’s own abilities.
As for Sophie Chapman, who wanted to follow along, the kitten beside her didn’t even lift an eyelid. It simply dozed while floating at her side, which was apparently its version of clocking in.
The Infinite Tunnel was, indeed, very close to the entrance. They walked to the right for less than a minute and were there. A fair number of people were in line, but it moved incredibly fast. Faye Yardley and Cole Kensington had just reached the end of the line when, less than twenty seconds later, it was their turn to go in.
The moment she stepped inside, the world started to spin...