The Loud Rider, Cyrus

A First Date And Confrontation

The drive wasn't that long and once they arrived, Riku smelled the scent of caramel popcorn, pancakes, and other various food drifted through the air as the distant rumble of roller coasters punctuated the cheerful hum of the crowd. The two of them stood at the entrance, taking in the buzzing atmosphere with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Riku had always been the type to enjoy quieter moments, spending most of her time in the base working on new projects, but today was different. She was on a date for the first time and it was with Lincoln, this was new territory but it wasn't really a bad thing for her yet her heart fluttered in her chest. She knew she had some feelings for Lincoln she didn't know how to process them or how to proceed given his previous relationships and emotional distress. Riku wasn't used to grand romantic gestures, and this amusement park, with its laughter, thrills, and laid-back energy, seemed the perfect backdrop for something simple, lighthearted, and fun.

"Hey, Riku!" Lincoln called out, finally reaching her attention. "Are you alright? You looked like you were having second thoughts about this."

Riku smiled, her nerves melting slightly at his infectious enthusiasm. "It's no big deal, just got distracted that's all." she said, her voice soft but steady.

"So," Lincoln began, looking around with wide eyes. "Any preference on what do you want to do first? We've got roller coasters, bumper cars, a haunted house, and like ten different food stalls that are already calling out our names."

Riku chuckled, pushing her nervousness deeper down and allowing herself to feel the excitement that had been building since they'd planned this. She was more of an observer than a thrill-seeker, but something about today made her want to step outside of that comfort zone.

"Well," she started, glancing at a nearby signboard, "we should probably warm up with something not too intense." Her eyes settled on the Ferris wheel towering in the distance, slowly turning against the backdrop of the bright sky. "How about the Ferris wheel? The view from up there must be amazing."

Lincoln followed her gaze and grinned. "Great idea! Let's get an overview of the park before we dive into the wild stuff."

They made their way toward the Ferris wheel, weaving through the crowd. The sound of children laughing, games clinking, and distant screams from thrill rides filled the air. As they reached the ride, Riku took a deep breath. This felt manageable. The line wasn't too long, and the pace was slow, giving her time to settle into the atmosphere and enjoy the moment with Lincoln by her side.

The Ferris wheel itself was a massive structure, its gondolas slowly rotating high into the air, offering what Riku imagined was a breathtaking view of the entire park. Lincoln turned to her with a grin. "Hope you're not scared of heights."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Pretty sure I got rid of that years ago, even before I fought that giant Synthoid that grew in size. *Looks at the reader* It was back in chapter 8 in case you need a quick reference. *Looks back at Riku* Besides, this is the calm before the storm, right?"

As they boarded the bright red capsule of the Ferris wheel , Riku noticed her hands fidgeting slightly, and she quickly folded them in her lap. She caught Lincoln watching her and flashed him a quick smile to hide her nervousness. The capsule swayed gently as they rose higher and higher above the park, the hum of voices and sounds fading into the distance as the landscape below them expanded.

"Wow," Lincoln said quietly as they neared the top. "You weren't kidding about the view, I can practically see my dorm here."

Riku leaned forward slightly, peering over the edge. The whole park stretched out beneath them, a patchwork of bright colors and swirling rides. Beyond the park's borders, the city lay like a glittering horizon, with trees and distant buildings dotting the landscape.