[BPMF] Pazel’s Day Out, featuring new friends!

“Sigh”, Pazel thought to themself as they stepped into the park. It was their first time going to a festival. They didn’t know many people well so they went by themself. Thinking to themselves more, “Hopefully it won’t be too crowded”. They went in with their ticket and had to take a moment to take in all of the sights and sounds.

 Over to their right were the food trucks. One of the food trucks appeared to be a blue food truck with fire on it called “Heck Dogs”. Another truck that was brown with light green dots named Skitter’s Sweets. Sweets sounds nice but I also don’t want to overwhelm myself. Next to that there was another food truck with a sunny theme named Sunshine Sweets Creamery. The menu looks so neat, simple but lots to choose from. There was also one last food truck that didn’t have a name listed but was a bright pink with roses covering it themed around sweets as well. Hmm. Food sounds nice but I also don’t quite feel up to eating yet, but maybe later, Pazel continued to think to themself. 

To their direct left, it appeared that the festival had set up bean toss, as well as other fun lawn games. “Oh this is perfect!”, Pazel exclaimed. This is what they had been looking for. Something fun and engaging but not too overwhelming on the senses. Looking further it appeared that the festival had set up three games; beanbag toss, a giant tumble tower, and bobbing for rubber ducks game. All classic outdoor games!

Pazel timidly walked over to the bean bag toss since they hadn’t done it much but had read about it and it seemed fun. As they walked over they noticed another pup already playing. However, they seemed to be playing by themself. The pup had the appearance of a bee with a stinger-like tail. They were also colored similar to a bee. Hopefully they are nice since I am quite awkward. But it would be more awkward to play bean bag alone while they are also playing alone, Pazel thought to themself. 

Pazel took a deep breath in and stepped closer to the mystery bee pup. “So, uh getting any good scores?”, they asked. The thunk of the bean bag hitting the board could be heard. The pup turned to face them. “Oh no oh no did I make them mad? Please don’t be upset” “No actually” the bee puppillar laughed a bit. “I’m quite bad at aiming, but I find it more fun to see how far off from the hole you can get before falling off the board.”

“Want me to try?” - Pazel

“Sure, go for it” - Mystery Bee Puppillar

Pazel had never played bean bag toss before, but it seemed easy enough, right? The bean bag had been picked up. “Really hoping it goes well”. Pazel lifted their paw with the weight of the bean bag. They pulled back and threw it. It ended in a resounding plop on the board on the far edge of the board teetering between falling and not. “Oh shoot. Please don’t fall even though there are no hard and fast rules to bean bag toss please don’t fall”. It falls onto the ground with a thunk. 

“Hey, no worries bud. Bean bags and hand-eye coordination do not seem to be our strong suits. - Mystery Bee Puppillar 

“Yeah you could say that.” Oh shoot I forgot to ask their name “Hey so what is your name?” - Pazel

“Oh Ambrosia, yours?” - Ambrosia

“Pazel”.

“Awesome what are your pronouns?” - Ambrosia

“Oh, I use they/them.” - Pazel

“Cool, I use she/her.” - Ambrosia

Time went on and they continued to play bean bag toss for a little bit more. Sometimes the bean bags making into the holes, other times completely missing. Slowly Pazel was getting more confident and was having fun even if it was a simple activity. “Hey Ambrosia, maybe want to try the bobbing for Ducks?” “Sure!”, they responded.

They both walked over to see one of the tanks, a puppillar aggressively lunging at the floating ducks in the tank. They have a woven flower crown on their head along with small black stars on their body with upright fluffy ears. 

“Can’t. Get. This. Stupid. Duck”, muttered the puppillar.

Ambrosia walked a little closer to see what the pup was doing. The ducks are constantly moving in a circular motion. There are so many types of ducks in the pond, ducks that look like real ducks, ladybug ducks, orca ducks, and more! One could spend days trying to get all the different types of ducks. 

“Which one are you trying to get?”, she asked

“The pumpkin duck”, the puppillar responded in a grumpy tone.

Ambrosia took a moment to look and spotted the duck which was a bit more towards the center moving a bit faster. “Hmm I'm stumped on the best way to get it since it's moving so fast”

“Maybe try counting the seconds between when it comes around to try and time it better”, Pazel pipped. The puppillar looked back to the pond and took Pazel’s advice. With a splash and a triumphant noise, the pumpkin duck had been caught. 

“Haha! Thank you! I must know your name since you helped me catch my new friend”, said the puppillar. 

“Oh it's not a problem, I’m Pazel and this is Ambrosia.”

“Awesome, my name is Bread”. They all exchanged pronouns learning that Bread uses He/they pronouns. They continued to bob for ducks for a little longer with Pazel getting a special ducky. “Wow it’s so sparkly. They will be my new friend”. Pazel smiled as they think they had found a new safe space. 

“Hey you all, want to go watch some shows?”, Bread asked. 

“Sure, but I’m kinda hungry, do you all want me to grab some food?”, Ambrosia checked.

“Sure”, both Bread and Pazel said. “I'll go grab us some burgers, and fries!” Ambrosia walked away towards the food trucks.

Pazel felt awkward now since they didn’t know Bread as well. “Want to help me find a spot on the hill to watch some of the acts?”, asked Bread. “Sure, yeah”, Pazel responded. They both quietly walked up the hill. “Hey sounds silly, but can we make sure we stay around here since you can hear the music but it’s quieter over here?”

“Hey, of course, that’s not an issue at all, since I know sensory issues can be really hard”, Bread responded. “Oh phew. Bread is ok with that, I’m glad I met them then.” They both ended up settling on a nice spot towards the top of the hill. 

“Hey is rather funny, but I brought a picnic blanket, which looks like that ended up working out perfectly! That way when Ambrosia brings back the food she can sit with us and relax for the afternoon.” - Bread

“Honestly sounds perfect. This sounds silly but I actually came by myself and just met Ambrosia today, which I wasn’t expecting to do at all. I was just planning on looking around by myself then likely going home early. Which I know is lame but I'm a bit more of a home body” - Pazel

“Really? It seems like you have been friends for ages.” - Bread

“Yeah, it was funny since I’m pretty anxious all the time. I’m also glad I met you since even though it hasn’t been long you have been one of the first people to understand and accommodate my sensory issues” - Pazel

“Aw I thank you, I’m at a loss for words. Do people bother you about that a lot?” - Bread

“Unfortunately yeah. I’ve been told too much, that I just need to get over it”  - Pazel

“Well know I can always be here to talk and make it as comfortable as possible for you.” - Bread

Pazel paused, “Hey let's not get too down in the dumps. What’s your favorite genre of music Bread?”  Bread seemed taken back by the question. “Oh geez, I really don’t know I just listen to whatever. It’s hard to pick a favorite since I seem like just artists rather than the genre.” - Bread

“Ah, that’s fair. It’s hard to pick one. I guess I’m a pop person then”, replied Pazel. As Pazel was thinking of another topic to bring up, Bread waved down the hill and Pazel looked. It looks like Ambrosia is back with the food!

“Hey looks like you got some good food”, Bread expressed.

“Yeah, all of the food was mouthwatering. It's hard to resist buying everything from every food truck.” - Ambrosia

“Honestly why I didn’t go”, Pazel laughed. Ambrosia had brought two burgers for them and Bread, and a veggie burger for Ambrosia with some fries to share. Bread dug in immediately. With his face stuffed full, a muffled sound came out. “Oh, this is so good.” Pazel laid down and sighed. They think they have found their new friends. Today was a good day. They laid down and closed their eyes content to be safe with new found friends.