Darren and Hannah blinked, rubbing their eyes as they now beheld the amusement park before them. Music, lights, and the sounds of merriment now echoed out from the fair grounds.
"Whoa!"
Yuriko turned, a small smile spreading across her ancient face. "Pretty neat huh," she said. "My godparents used to take me and my friends here when I was a kid. Always some shenanigans going on everytime I came here."
"Describe shenanigans," Hannah responded, her robotic eyebrows rising.
Yuriko gave the duo an impish grin as they now headed towards the entrance. "Circe was always about changes," she said. "That included all of us. It's nothing permanent or damaging. It actually can be quite a bit of harmless fun." Yuriko now chuckled softly as she noticed the two teens slow down, an apprehensive look on their faces. "Dont worry even if you do change, you can change back once your off the ride."
As they now entered the park, Darren and Hannah could see Jack waiting for them, an evil yet somehow inviting grin on his face. "Yuriko," he smirked, bowing dramatically. "So happy to see you and I see you've brought friends."
"Does he have to be so creepy," Hannah shivered. "I feel like hes going to suck my soul out or something."
"Its part of his schtick," Yuriko laughed. "The whole evil carnival owner thing. The park is harmless fun and so is Jack."
"For the most part," Jack replied wryly. Jack now motioned behind him, Darren and Hannah watching as an animatronic fox skipped towards them. "I wish to introduce you to Vixi. She'll be showing you around the park while I talk with Yuriko." Darren and Hannah nodded watching as a large smile spread across the curvaceous animatronics face.
"Greets I'm Vixi," she sang happily, curtseying before the two teens. "Welcome to Circes Amusement park. I'll be giving you the Super Special, Ultimate, VIP tour."
"Is she a robot," Hannah asked. "Like me?"
"Not exactly," Jack stated. "Vixi's soul inhabits this body, her original being destroyed decades ago."
"And I couldnt be happier with the gift my godess gave me," Vixi smiled. "All hail Circe."
"Right," Darren said slowly, amazed at the animatronics bubbly personality.
Vixi now encouraged the two teens forward, leaving Jack and Yuriko for the time being. As they listened to Vixi give her best tour guide voice, Darren couldnt help but scan the fair grounds.
All manner of magical beings mingled freely with humans. Darren watched as a pair of one tail kitsune took pictures with their human friends, a demon intermingled with an anthro and human companion on a Go Kart track, even an anthro teenage couple snuggled next to one another as they waited to go on the roller coaster. Darren, somewhat surprised to see an anthro deer and lion not tearing eachother to pieces. "Wow this place is something," Darren said in awe.
"Like thanks," Vixi said happily. "Circes is probably the most successful park in the world. Did you know we have a few other parks around the globe, plus a production studio. Take that Disney!"
"A production studio," Hannah asked, to which Vixi nodded. "Like of course," the animatronic said. "Ya would be amazed how successful some of our movies are. People cant seem to get enough of Kitsune Warrior Squad, think Avengers but with magical races."
Darren and Hannah simply shrugged, the tour continuing as the maneuvered their way through the park. The two teens pleasantly surprised to see humans and magical creatures happily intermingling with one another.
"Oooooo look," Vixi exclaimed excitedly, startling the two teens. "Its the parks lawyer Amanda Franklin! Hey Mandy!!!"
Darren looked to see Vixi bound towards a stern looking anthro female cheetah with hot pink fur. The cheetah womans eyes bulging as the animatronic gave her a tight bear hug.
"Guys," Vixi said excitedly. "This is Mandy, the parks lawyer. Shes actually the grand daughter of the parks first lawyer Franklin. She kinda followed in the family footsteps."
Amanda pushed her glasses up, straightening her business suit as she extended her paw. "Pleasure," she stated. "I understand your students of Yuriko. Normally we have first time attendees sign waiver forms however, considering your connections I dont believe that will be necessary."
"So is it true," Darren asked. "Does the park transform you into different things?"
"Yes but the effects are temporary," Amanda stated. "You dont have to stay in that form. We encourage our patrons to exercise their own decisions."
"So would we be affected if we went on the rides," Hannah asked.
"Not if you dont want to," Amanda stated. "But I would encourage you to give it a try. You might actually enjoy being a real monkey girl."
Hannah rubbed her chin as Vixi now turned towards the two teens. "So what would you like to try first?"