Test your strength: Basil

Lost, Basil was lost again, and somehow in his aimless wandering he stumbled upon the Hallo’moon faire. The sun had long set, yet the faire’s bright colorful lights provided enough brightness to see a fair amount of surroundings. A late night grocery run had taken a quick turn into a tour of the faire.

Basil doesn’t even know where to look first, eyes taking quick scans to see all the booths that held carnival games, festive treats, and other things alike. There were also a couple rides that were typical of a carnival, ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds. In the distance Basil spots a large tent, no doubt hosting a show of sorts. All the options were overwhelming, all the choices paralyzing Basil’s ability to make a decision.

“Come one, come all! Take a step up and show us your strength!” A voice cut Basil out of his thoughts. A Cossetling in a striped vest, boat hat, and cane in hand was gesturing towards a high striker. Even though it was evident the Cosset was speaking to the crowd, Basil felt as if he was being talked to specifically. So, he approached just as requested.

“Hello young man, care to test your strength?” With a flourish of the cane, the nameless Cosset gestured to the high striker.

Basil stared at the contraption, his datura tail swishing behind him as his eyebrows furrowed in thought. “Do you...like, punch it?” Basil asked, his words hesitant and unsure.

“No, my good sir, you use your head!” The vendor replied, and as if to emphasize his point, he brought up his cane to tap onto his hat.

While Basil nodded, and looked like he understood the concept enough, simple instructions as they were, the man gave another pause before asking, “...why?”

The games man faltered for a second at Basil’s question, as if not expecting someone to ask ‘why’ the game's rules were in place. The vendor taps his cane on the ground a few times, trying to formulate an answer for Basil. “That’s just how we show our strength ‘round here, why don’t you give it your best shot?”

Luckily, that seemed to be enough, and now Basil’s curiosity was piqued. There was some delays in actually getting to ‘test his strength’ as tickets were required, which Basil didn’t have as he had just wandered into the faire without a clue of what was going on. So after a trip to a ticket booth that ended up being way too long, Basil was back...hours later.

“Ah young man, I see you’ve returned! Here to give it a whirl?” The vendor seemed cheerful, welcoming, yet Basil...seemed confused by his words.

“Didn’t you tell me to?” Basil asked, scratching his cheek as he wasn’t sure why he was being asked about his intention. The vendor doesn’t know how to reply, and decides, like anyone else would, that he wouldn’t bother with going back and forth with Basil. Instead, he reaches out a hand to accept the ticket, and just wordlessly gestures to the device.

It was time to give it a shot, give it his best efforts, and after shaking his limbs loose Basil takes a step forward ready to charge the device even without any horns. It’s only a few steps into a charge that Basil loses his footing, smashing the top of his head into the contraption in his fall to the ground. Well so much for that.

The vendor doesn’t even know what to say as he looks down at Basil’s form on the ground, face planted down and no movement. He decides to ignore Basil and just go back to calling out to the crowd.

“Come one, come all! Take a step up and show us your strength!”

Oh well Basil, better luck next time.