🛎 Test Your Strength 💥

 Ring That High Striker! 

≻─── 💥 ───≺

(983 Words)

The two friends, Cosette and Whitlea, were walking hand in hand through the vibrant funfair atmosphere. The sounds of laughter and chatter were all around them, mixed with the sweet smell of spunsweet floss and the flashing lights from the various carnival games and rides.

Cosette glances at the crowds, her eyes wide with wonder. "Wow, it's so crowded here today! I guess everyone must be excited for the faire."

They both stopped nearby a brightly lit booth, where colourful prizes were hung up on display as well as some other interesting looking prizes.

Cosette turned to point out at the booth. "Do you think we can win that giant stuffed bear?"

Whitlea follows Cosette's sparkling gaze to a game stand, where a larger-than-life stuffed bear is perched on a high shelf. That must be the grand prize!

"Hmph, that plushie does look good..." She grins, a competitive gleam in her eye. "I bet we can win it. Let's give it a shot."

As they approached closer, the familiar face of the booth attendant caught sight of the two friends as they approached, and her eyes lit up in recognition. "Hey there, you two! I was hoping I'd run into you today. Care to test your strength at my high striker?" Yue exclaimed with a friendly smile, looking charismatic as ever.

Cosette beamed, unable to hide her excitement. "Ooh, count us in! We're sOo in!"

Whitlea, although she tried to maintain her usual practicality, found herself getting swept up in her friend's enthusiasm. "Sure, why not? Never done this before."

Yue smiles and explains, "It's simple! The objective is to hit the button with your horns as hard as you can. Depending on the strength of your hit, the puck will rise up. The higher you go, the better the prize!"

She pointed at the shelves that held various cool prizes. Among them was the humongous bear plushie, it had a written tag beside it. "Grand Prize - 100," it says.

Cosette looks thrilled, already eyeing the grand prize. "I've watched cossetlings do this before. I can definitely make that bell ring!"

Yue chuckled, appreciating her enthusiasm. "Ha! Love the enthusiasm, my dears. You'll need 3 tickets each time you attempt to ring the bell."

Cosette excitedly took out three tickets from her suitcase. "I'm going first!" she declared, confidently handing them over to Yue.

The redhead attendant gratefully accepted the tickets from the excited cossetling. "Excellent! Go ahead and give it your best shot, my dear."

Cosette confidently took her place in front of the high striker, looking determined to ring that bell. With Whitlea cheering on the sidelines, offering support.

"You can do it!"

Cosette took a deep breath, her eyes focused on the lever ahead. With a mighty push, she charged forward, using her horns to headbutt the button.

THUD!

The puck rose by a couple levels, but the bell refused to ring. A small frown of disappointment crossed Cosette's face, clutching her head from dizziness.

She let out a dismayed sigh, her enthusiasm dampened. "Aww, drat! Guess these little horns are not up for the job."

Yue, sensing Cosette's disappointment, piped up. "Hey, nice try dear! You did well, here's a little consolation prize." She handed Cosette a small bag of spooky candy.

Meanwhile, Whitlea approached and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't be too hard on yourself.. You gave it your best shot after all."

She then looked through her own pockets, then asked her pouting friend, "Do you have any more tickets left?"

Cosette shook her head apologetically. "No, I used up all mine. What about you?"

Whitlea nodded, still rummaging through her pockets, digging out her tickets. "No worries, I've got exactly three left! I'll give it a try."

Quickly, she handed the last of their tickets to Yue, her expression determined. "Here are my tickets. I'm going for it."

Yue simply smiled, "Best of luck, dear!"

Whitlea stepped up to the high striker, Cosette watching from behind in anticipation. She braced herself, determined to make her shot count.

3.. 2.. 1..!

CLANG!

With a powerful thrust, she made a run for it, slamming her mighty horns straight into the button. The puck soared skyward, ringing the bell with a victorious chime.

"Ding! Ding! Ding! 100!!"
The machine chimed loudly, declaring Whitlea's victory.

Cosette clapped her hands in excitement, clearly impressed.
"Wow, you actually did it!"

"Congratulations! That was an incredible shot!" Yue exclaimed, putting her thumb up.

Whitlea rubbed a finger under her nose, a shy smile formed on her lips. "Hehe, thanks guys.. I just got lucky, I guess."

Yue chuckled, amused by her modest response. "Nonsense! You earned it fair and square. Here's your grand prize."

She reached into the shelf, pulling out the massive, cuddly bear plushie.
"Here you go!"

Whitlea accepted the giant bear with a warm smile, feeling a mix of pride and shyness. It's huge.. almost her height.

"Actually," she said, turning to Cosette, "I really wanted to win this for you. Friend goals, right?" she teased.

Cosette's eyes widened in surprise and appreciation, hovering her hand to cover her open mouth.

"You... you wanted to win for me? But... why?" She asked, touched by her friend's act of kindness.

Whitlea shrugged, a soft smile on her face. "Just because! You helped me out countless times before, and I wanted to do something special for you. Winning this cute bear for you seemed... right."

Cosette's eyes sparkled with gratitude as she accepted the bear.

"Aww, thank youuuu!" She said, hugging the huge, fluffy bear tight. "This is the best gift I've ever received! I love it!"

Whitlea suddenly realized the reality of their situation. "Ahhh... wait a minute. How are we going to carry this huge plushie around the carnival?"

Cosette looked at the bear, then at her friend, before bursting into laughter. "Oops, didn't think of that!"