The claw machine loomed before us, its glass case packed with colorful stuffed animals, but Riza's eyes were locked onto one prize: the oversized, smug-looking dragon sitting dead center. Its embroidered eyes seemed to taunt her, daring her to try.
"This time, I've got it," she declared, cracking her knuckles as if preparing for battle. Her cerulean eyes burned with determination.
"You've said that three times now," I teased, leaning casually against the machine.
"Hush, doubter. Watch and learn," she shot back, slipping an eche coin into the slot. The machine lit up, cheerful carnival music blaring as the claw hummed to life.
Riza gripped the joystick like her life depended on it, her tongue poking slightly out of the corner of her mouth in concentration. With painstaking precision, she maneuvered the claw over the dragon, her gaze flicking between the controls and her target.
"Here we go," she muttered as she pressed the button. The claw descended, grazing the dragon's plush body before clamping down—loosely. It lifted the dragon slightly, wobbling precariously as it rose.
"Come on, come on," she whispered, fists clenched in anticipation. Just as the claw neared the drop chute, it opened, and the dragon tumbled back onto the pile with a soft thud.
"ARGH!" she groaned, throwing her hands up in frustration. "Why is this thing so rigged?!"
I smirked. "Need some help, ace?"
She turned to me, pouting. "You think you can do better?"
"Easily." I stepped up to the machine, slipping in another coin. "Let me show you how it's done."
She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Alright, hotshot. Let's see it."
I studied the claw and the dragon's position, mentally calculating. With a steady hand, I moved the claw into position, angling it just right. As the music played, I pressed the button, and the claw descended. This time, it gripped the dragon firmly, lifting it without a wobble.
Riza gasped, her hands clasped together. "No way…"
The claw carried the dragon over to the drop chute. For a moment, it seemed like it might slip—but then, with a satisfying thud, the dragon fell through.
"YES!" she shouted, throwing her arms around me. "You actually did it!"
I retrieved the dragon from the prize slot and handed it to her with a smug grin. "Told you. It's all about the technique."
She hugged the dragon tightly, beaming. "Thank you! You're the best!"
"Don't mention it," I said with a chuckle. "Now, what's next? Or do you want me to keep winning all your prizes for you?"
Riza stuck out her tongue playfully. "Don't push your luck, mister. But seriously, this dragon is perfect. Thanks a ton."
The arcade buzzes around us, a cacophony of flashing lights, cheerful tunes, and overlapping voices. Riza stands in front of the claw machine, arms crossed, her lips pursed in a pout as the claw drops the stuffed SpaceY Starship she's been vying for. The plush falls just short of the drop hole, landing back among the pile of toys with an almost mocking bounce.
"Oh, shoot! I was so close!" she groans, her frustration palpable. She spins to face me, her cerulean eyes glinting with determination. "You should give it a try."
I raise an eyebrow, my hands already full from all the previous prizes I won her. "Why me? I don't want anything in there."
Her frown deepens, and she tilts her head, giving me that expectant, almost pleading look that she knows I can't resist. "Well, I do. And you're always bragging about how good you are at these things."
I let out a dramatic sigh, scratching the back of my head. "I do brag a lot, huh?"
Her expression brightens instantly. "Exactly! That ship is as good as mine now!" She practically bounces in place as we switch spots, her excitement contagious as I pass off her prizes.
Standing at the controls, I lean forward, studying the claw's mechanics. My mind begins calculating. "If this machine is like the standard ones, it's probably rigged to drop the toy every 20 plays. Let's say the couple ahead of us played five times, and Riza's burned through five herself... that means I'll need to give it at least 10 tries."
"Well?" she nudges me with her elbow, her voice breaking through my thoughts. "Are you playing or what?"
"Yeah, yeah, hold your horses," I say, slipping an eche coin into the machine. The claw lights up, and the cheerful carnival music begins its taunting tune.
Riza leans in close, watching my every move as I maneuver the joystick. "You better not mess this up!" she teases, her tone playful but laced with faux-threat.
I grin. "No pressure, huh?"
On my first attempt, the claw barely brushes the plush.
"Shoot!" Riza exclaims, her voice a mix of disappointment and encouragement.
The second and third attempts yield similar results, the claw clumsily grazing the ship before giving up and returning empty. By the fourth try, my focus sharpens, my movements precise. The claw clamps down firmly on the SpaceY Starship, lifts it, and—miraculously—drops it directly into the prize chute.
"YES!" Riza yells, throwing her arms up in triumph. She spins around and hugs me tightly, her excitement radiating off her in waves. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She crouches to retrieve the prize, holding it up like a trophy.
I laugh, brushing imaginary dust off my shoulders. "And that's how it's done."
She beams at me, clutching the stuffed starship to her chest. "Alright, Mr. Claw Machine Champion, where to next?"
I glance around, taking in the array of attractions. Before I can answer, Riza's gaze locks onto a small ride designed to look like mini spaceships and asteroids swirling around each other. "Ooh, over there!" she says, pointing excitedly.
The ride is delightfully cheesy, with lights twinkling like distant stars as the little ships bob and weave in a looped pattern. We hop aboard, laughing as the ride whirls us gently around. Riza leans over, pretending to steer her "ship" through the asteroid field, her dramatic commentary drawing amused glances from other riders.
Afterward, we move from one attraction to the next: a gravity-defying roller coaster that leaves us both breathless with laughter, stalls offering sugary snacks and fried delights, and even more claw machines (Riza wins a tiny alien plush this time). The arcade feels like an endless maze of joy, each corner offering a new surprise.
By the time we approach the Graviton, a spinning centrifugal ride designed to mimic zero-gravity, Riza is practically glowing. "This is the best day ever," she declares, clutching her stuffed prizes as we wait in line.
"I'll admit," I say with a grin, "this has been pretty fun."
When the ride ends, we stagger out, laughing and dizzy. The neon lights of the arcade flicker above us as we wander aimlessly, catching our breath.
"We've done so much, and it's only 1500!" Riza says, glancing at her watch. She spins to face me, her expression alight with wonder. "Can you believe how much fun we've had already? And we still have so much time before the movie!"
I nod, her excitement infectious. Watching her joy is more than enough for me. In moments like this, I almost wish time could slow down, that this simple happiness could stretch on forever.
"Hey," she says suddenly, turning to look at me over her shoulder, "I'm kinda hungry. Wanna grab a bite to eat?"
"Sure," I reply easily, and we head toward the quieter section of the entertainment deck where the food stalls and restaurants are located.
"What about 15 Percent?" Riza suggests, naming a casual spot known for its fair prices.
"Works for me," I say as we stroll in that direction, the hum of the arcade fading into the background. The bright, bustling energy of the arcade faded behind us as we stepped through the sliding doors, leaving the neon lights and cheerful chaos behind. The contrast was almost jarring—the hallway outside was quieter, illuminated by soft ambient lighting that seemed serene compared to the arcade's vibrant glow.
Riza skipped beside me, her bag overflowing with her newly won plushies. The oversized dragon she'd been determined to get poked its smug face out of the top, as if triumphantly declaring her victories to the world. Her blue ponytail bounced with every step, and her laughter rang out like music as she hugged the bag close.
"Look at this haul! I'm a pro at claw machines now!" she declared, grinning ear to ear.
I shot her a playful side-eye. "You mean I'm a pro. Pretty sure half those stuffies were my wins."
She gasped dramatically, clutching the bag tighter. "Lies! Slander! These are all mine, fair and square."
I chuckled. "Right. And the dragon just magically fell into the prize slot, huh?"
"Hmph." She stuck her nose in the air, walking ahead of me with an exaggerated sway of her hips. "A good teammate doesn't steal credit, you know."
"Teammate? I feel more like your personal claw machine operator," I teased, catching up to her.
She slowed her pace and looked at me with a mischievous smile. "Well, you do have the magic touch. Maybe I should hire you for my next raid."
"Raid? What are you, a pirate now?" I asked, unable to suppress a grin.
"Arrr, matey! And these," she said, lifting the bag slightly, "are my precious treasures!"
We both burst out laughing, the sound echoing softly in the hallway. As we turned a corner, the faint hum of the entertainment deck shifted to the low buzz of conversation and clinking dishes. The aromas of grilled food, fresh bread, and sweet desserts wafted through the air, guiding us toward the dining section.
"There it is!" Riza pointed ahead at a cozy diner with a glowing sign that read 15 Percent. The warm, inviting interior was a stark contrast to the sterile hallways, with its polished wooden tables, soft lighting, and the tantalizing sight of sizzling dishes being served.
Riza hugged her bag tighter and glanced at me with a cheeky smile. "Think they'll give me a discount for being the queen of stuffed animals?"
"Only if you share your treasure," I said, nudging her shoulder.
"Never!" she exclaimed, holding the bag protectively. "A pirate never parts with her loot."
As we stepped into the diner, a cheerful server greeted us, and Riza's energy seemed to light up the room. She plopped her bag onto the booth seat beside her, the dragon's smug face still sticking out as if it were supervising our meal.
Sliding into the seat across from her, I shook my head with a smile. "You really can't go anywhere without making a scene, huh?"
Riza grinned, resting her chin on her hand. "Life's more fun that way, don't you think?"
I couldn't argue with that. Moments like these were what made it all worthwhile.