The last time he'd seen jayden cross had been...an emotional one. He vaguely remembered staying quiet for a really long time and then asking for something to eat after admitting he'd felt sleepy. Not tired. Just sleepy. Like he could finally rest after an extreme bout of cathartic crying.

Today he's not sleepy. Today he's giddy, making haste after getting a text from his friend. Jayden turns when he calls for him, just as Mint bumps him, arms outstretched for a hug. The Beast does his best to glom onto his friend's side in greeting. "We're doing rides. So pick one." he said grinning. Not even a hello.

He briefly lets go, eyes flickering with interest at a passing carny. "Oh! Oooh lets buy balloon hats while we're at it!" he said, waving the salesman over before requesting a pirate hat. Though unfortunately, that's not exactly in their specialties. So Mint is content with a balloon dog. The colors remind him of a Rockruff.

jayden cross | buy a balloon pokemon

Mint is unfazed, pressure the balloon Rockruff's nose to Jayden's cheek and giving a couple of soft barks before grinning. "We can also play games. But I figured rides would be better so we don't have to worry about carrying prizes on them." he said before looking where directed.

"Oooh yeah yeah yeah. I wanted a t-shirt maybe or a little magnet." he said as he followed his friend's lead. "Fern huh? Think it might be tough convincing him to wear a tourist tee but...we could find something else. Something with the name of the event." Maybe a desk trinket? Or a keychain? Something he'd like.

They're assaulted by glitter upon entry, which Mint adores.

jayden cross | Visit the Joyland Pop-up souvenir booths.

Mint surveyed the little popup, looking at different toys and novelty gifts inside. He's staring at the light up wind wheels a child is playing with before Jayden gets his attention again. It takes him a couple of seconds before the Beast is delighted regardless. "These are sooo cute." he said as he turned on the hat and looked through the light up mods. He settled for a slowly changing rainbow version before putting on the oversized sunglasses.

Even before the mention of a picture, its quite easy to get him to put the stuff on. "Cheeeeeeeese~" he says as he waits for the flash or light or to hear the click. As Jayden types, he says, "Tag me, I'll put these aside...unless you want to buy them?" he joked carefully returning the items back to their original spot.

"Does Fern like plushies? I really love them but...well, I collect them so." he explained before watching a kid run into his legs, bounce off and fall. They immediately start crying. Mint blinks confused about to leave, before realizing he's too close to the situation to ignore. "H-Hey kiddo! Don't cry- look- I've got a cute...puppy dog here. Bark bark bark~" he said, covering his mouth with one hand and moving his balloon animal with the other until the child eventually sniffled and simply watched curiously.

jayden cross | Cheer up a distressed kid

The kid ran off with his balloon, happy and causing chaos as he barker at multiple patrons. And then staff. And then any pokemon standing by. Mint ignores it to look up at Jayden. "Hey, it worked didn't it?" he said standing up and dusting his knees off.

"Anyway, I can get a t-shirt after. Did you want to go on any rides??" He asked, pulling out his phone and grinning. "We can take more photos?" he added to entice his friend. "The merry go round is pretty easy for that. It should be past some food booths." he added, pulling up a little map on his phone. He added, taking the lead but stopping in his tracks before he bumped into a mini parade performance as it passed them by.

jayden cross | Watch a carnival performance

From anybody else the sentiment may have sounded romantic. But this is Jayden. So there's no fluster or embarassment that follwos in his reaction. Just excitement and genuine joy. That's all he really wanted after all. "Rides, rides, rides!" he said shaking his arm excitedly while he waited for the parade to pass.

As they line up to get on the merry-go-round, Mint points at the two Rapidash side by side, Kanto and Galarian. "You take Galar I'll take Kanto?" he offered before rushing over to the horses. Once on them proper, before the ride starts, he leaned over to his friend. "Jayden, look here quick. Photo!" he said getting a clear shot before snapping a photo of them together nd beginning to type out a small post for insta.

"#Funtasia right?" he said before sending it away as the ride began to spin.


jayden cross | Watch a carnival performance