Chi-Town 1893 Part: 2

Posted on Wed Jun 18th, 2025 @ 7:56am by Watch Leader Frederick Hollywood
Edited on on Wed Jun 18th, 2025 @ 7:59am

Mission: Findelion Watch - Villains
Location: Chicago 1893
Timeline: 1893

When Aryel saw how distracted her love had become she wanted to bring him back to focus on her but at the same time allow him his dreams. “You’re drifting again aren't you? You are thinking of how much this place reminds you of that magic castle in the kingdom you always go on about. We can see it all if you want. There is no rush right?”

He could see she wanted to make him happy, but she was wrong. If he didn’t use the crystal at the right time many things could go wrong. After all, in this world like the one she came from there were always evil doers waiting to thwart a hero's plans. Is that what he was? He nodded, well yes if nothing else he was Aryel’s hero and would be until his dying day. “There is, sadly, if what I am trying to do is delayed either the crystal could be destroyed or it could be used for evil.”

Her eyes opened wide. “Would that be easy for someone to do?” I seemed like that could really put a damper on their honeymoon plans.

“Well no, but there are beings in this world. Some are powerful enough to destroy entire worlds. Some with magics that even exceed the gods. Worse yet some that war with each other often enough to have reason to need something like that as I do.”

Soon they arrived at the front of the line. There was a man dressed a bit like a bellhop taking money. Fifty cents seemed a little high for a ride even on a Ferris wheel like this. Lorde smiled at the man and handed him ten five dollar bills and motioned back at the rest of the line. “Hey this is for us and the next one hundred people.” After all it was his honeymoon and things did seem to be going well and he was feeling generous. Then just to keep the man honest he yelled back at the people in the line. “Hey next one hundred of you are on me okay?” A few of them looked quite relieved, most just seemed happy for the gift. In hindsight he thought that he should have kept quiet. That could have caused a fight to be next in line.

When they got into the cars there were thirty double sized swivel chairs arranged in three rows. As he had Aryel’s hand the usher showed them to a seat and told them the ride would start as soon as enough people filled the seats. Soon enough the wheel moved. I was a little slower than the ones at the fairs he had been too but no less romantic. At the top they were over two hundred and fifty feet in the air. The view was amazing. Once the ride filled the wheel went around twice. The whole ride took about twenty minutes, but Lorde felt as if he had gained something that would last a lifetime.

When they stepped off the ride Frederick knew just what he wanted next. “Okay now for one of those famous dogs.”

Aryel was sure he was talking about food but she hadn’t seen a sign that said dogs. She could only wonder if people ate dogs here.

Lorde led them into the Vienna Cafe. Like the smaller vending areas they had seen, this restaurant sold Vienna Sausages. He purchased one for each of them with all the trimmings. That damn thing looked massive in her hands like a joke waiting to happen. “These are still a thing. Chicago is famous for these.”

Aryel took a bite. It was quite tasty but she could help but ask. “Are they really made from dogs?”

The crazy man smiled and pointed at the sign. “Well they are supposed to be beef.” He took another big bite. Then pointed to a nearby building. “Volcano of Kilauea Cyclorama is what the map says. That sounds like fun right?”

She nodded of course, maybe it was the word cyclorama that got her attention this time. “Have you ever been to a place like that?”

Lorde shook his head. “No, I don't think so. Heck I have never even been to Hawaii."

The line wasn’t too long and the place was as fun as they had hoped. There was a Tiki village surrounding a simulation of an active volcano. The village had dancers and a bar with some snack foods. They had a few drinks and watched the show and when Frederick felt everyone else had drank enough he even stood up and danced in front of Aryel singing.

They walked further down the road and Lorde spotted an ostrich farm sign. “Wanna feed the big birdies?.

Aryel covered her face laughing this time. “Oh why not!”

So they went in and paid for some food to feed the big flightless birds When suddenly the air elemental dropped her bird food and raced off. “Oh my god!”

Lorde followed quickly. He wasn’t worried about her but getting separated could cause trouble.

“Look, Look!” Aryel squealed in a very high pitched voice.

As he raced after her he could make out the sign on the building. “The Finest Saint Bernard Dogs in the World.” When he looked back down his wife had warped her arms around the largest dog he had seen in a long time. Standing next to the dog was a man in some kind of military uniform, maybe the army. Either way it was very elaborate, most likely ceremonial wear. Sure he could look it up but it wasn’t a serious concern. Aryel always liked animals. Heck for a long time Lorde had felt like a child compared to her. She was after all born in the elements that had formed her universe.

Frederick kneeled down next to her after brushing his hair out of his face and adjusting his glasses and patted the dog’s massive head. “Found a friend huh?”

The little golden goddess rubbed the dog's face. “Oh yes, he is adorable. Too bad we can’t keep him.

While Lorde believed her, he didn’t have that sense of certainty he once did. At some point he would have to examine what truly happened to his wife in traveling to this new world. “I am sure we can get you a pet when we get home if you want one.” Visions of a zoo came to mind.

The pair played with the dog until the man in uniform mentioned it was almost show time. They said their goodbyes and Aryel gave more hugs to the dog and even gave one to the dog’s handler.

Next they traveled to Cafe’ De Marine. This restaurant was nothing like the other fairground eateries. It was inside of a castle and outshined most places he had ever eaten in. I was owned by Charles Rector, a very famous Chef of the day. Because of his success, he could be compared to Gordon Ramsey.

Like one might expect when walking into a five star place, the concierge asked them if they had any preferences in seating. Out of habit he asked for a private booth. They seemed more than happy to accommodate and took them right to a table. It wasn’t as busy as one might expect and when Frederick looked at the menu he could see why. If the fair prices were high for the day this place was for the truly elite. Unlike the fair prices the time traveler took no real offense to this.

The menu had a little of everything one's heart could desire. Even a few things Frederick had never heard of. Like chow chow. He looked that up and found out it was a relish of sorts. It seemed a little weird that the place charged for a condiment. They even charged a nickel for crackers. Also it seemed weird in a place like this there was a disclaimer about not being responsible for the loss of hats and coats.

When the waitress arrived Lorde first asked for a pot of coffee and a pot of tea. Both were offered with cream. For a starter he ordered a cup of consommé with poached eggs. Aryel had the Neptune Stew. For the next dish he wanted to try the roast pheasant. Aryel said that sounded interesting but opted for the pair of golden plovers. Lastly he was in a beefy mood so he wanted the porterhouse steak and mashed potatoes. Aryel wanted the whole lobster and asparagus.

He planned to return so he would try some of the other things on the menu at another time. He would have to be careful not to create a paradox loop in doing so.

TBC