Tonight on ‘The Pairing’

“Lilac, will you accept this french fry?”

“Yes!” There was a barely-restrained squeal to Dahlia’s left as Lilac eagerly waddled forward. Like the rest of the lineup she was a cream and chocolate-speckled duck with bright orange legs, hazelnut eyes, and iridescent purple wing feathers, known by birders everywhere as a mallard. She dipped her head and accepted her fry with an eager ruffle of feathers, brushing her beak against Cedar’s as she did so.

Dahlia looked down, embarrassed at the shameless flirtation. Lilac flounced back to her place, and she and her sister Poppy eagerly began comparing their fries before wolfing them down. Everyone else’s gazes, however, turned to the final fry. Dahlia could barely hear their tense murmurs over her pounding heart. 

“Ladies, this is the final fry tonight.”

The unnecessary remark was from Oak, the stately mallard who had overseen close to a decade of these competitions. He and Cedar were both grey-backed, yellow-beaked, and emerald-headed. Their only difference was the quality of their plumage - Oak’s was well-kept but faded, while Cedar’s was gleaming and magnificent. A duck coming into his prime. 

Cedar considered the final fry seriously, and then looked up to make eye contact with each female in the lineup. Dahlia again ducked her head when his eyes rested on her, too nervous to meet his gaze, “I’ve loved getting to know all of you these last few weeks,” He said finally, “This decision is difficult, and I don’t want to hurt a single one of you. But I do have to consider who I can see a future with. And as that’s the case-”

Dahlia shut her eyes. This was it. All her hopes for romance, not to mention a privileged life, were about to die. They were plowing full speed into the side of the ferris wheel, tumbling broken into the-

“Dahlia, will you accept this french fry?”

Her eyes flew open in stunned surprise, and she stared at him open-beaked for a moment before she recovered her senses. She stumbled forward, disappointed murmurs in her wake, and Cedar passed her the fry, “Thank you,” She murmured, only brave enough to look at him for a second.

He dipped his head, but Dahlia couldn’t help but notice he looked slightly concerned. Did he already regret his choice? He should have picked Aster. She told the best jokes-

Dahlia shook herself and slipped back into the lineup. Oak waddled forward, “Ladies, take a moment to say your goodbyes.”

The five unchosen females - Aster, Verbena, Honeysuckle, Rose, and Hyacinth - clustered around Cedar while Dahlia looked down at her french fry. It was smashed and cold, but she nibbled it anyway, “Ugh,” A voice groaned next to her, “I’ve seen trash more appetizing than that.”

Dahlia knew it was Snapdragon even before she looked up. Her fellow competitor held her head high and proud, her fry already long eaten. 

We live in a theme park, Dahlia thought, Even the trash is delicious.

She wasn’t brave enough to voice the retort, so she looked down and continued nibbling instead of challenging Snapdragon. Snapdragon huffed, but there were shouts before she could goad Dahlia any further.

“Not these ducks again!”

Two humans had entered the restaurant from the back, and they were now advancing toward the ducks with outstretched arms. Oak looked at one of his attendants, “Willow! You told me we had fifteen minutes!”

Willow shook his head helplessly, and Oak flapped his wings, “Ladies, if you received a french fry please reconvene at the paddleboats in one hour! Everyone else, scatter!”

There was a chaotic shuffle of wings, legs, and feathers as everyone fled, but Dahlia merely hunkered down and waited. She didn’t fear the humans; the worst she had to worry about was some gentle shooing. Once the other ducks were gone, she straightened up, fluffed out her feathers, and began waddling toward the paddleboats. It was a lovely night, and a walk seemed like just the way to enjoy it.

The theme park’s main boulevard glowed with warm lamplight against the dark sky. It wasn’t empty by any means, but the humans were busy preparing for tomorrow’s crowds and no one gave her so much as a second glance. It was much calmer than the chaos of daytime, though she loved that too. She couldn’t bear the thought of leaving it. 

But leaving was becoming an increasingly-likely threat.

Dahlia, like many ducklings, had hatched right here in the park. And she loved living here. Loved watching the humans eat, shop, and stumble off rides. Loved the gentle protection of an attendant if she got too deep in a crowd. Loved the daytime music and the nighttime fireworks. And loved the treats the humans slipped her. Especially popcorn, though churros weren’t half bad either. But her charmed existence was likely coming to an end. The park simply couldn’t support so many adult ducks, so most ducklings were asked to leave once they turned a year old. There was only one way to stay.

The Pairing. 

Each year, one male and one female mallard were selected by the older ducks to remain in the park. They weren’t paired together, but chose their mates from the remaining unpaired ducks desiring to stay. Over the years it had evolved into a competition they called The Pairing, whittling down a large pool of eligible mates until one remained. Twenty females had started in Dahlia’s group, and now there were only five. 

Competing for a luxury life with Cedar. Yes, that Cedar. Perfect, strong, caring, Cedar. The fantasy crush of her duckling days.

She gulped and waddled a little faster. She had no idea how she’d made it this far in the competition. But arriving late to the next challenge was an excellent way to ensure her progress went no further. 

Dahlia joined her four remaining competitors among the paddleboats a few minutes later. Lights glowed from the dock, and she could see a team of humans busy cleaning the boats. But they didn’t pay any attention to the ducks, so Dahlia turned her focus to the other females. She felt them assessing her as she assessed them in turn. Haughty Snapdragon, who’d willingly admitted that she only wanted to win so a human would watch her ducklings for her. Giggly, gushing Poppy and Lilac, more crazy in love with the idea of Cedar than the actual duck himself. And reserved, practical Iris. She’d hatched on the outskirts of the park, and Dahlia suspected her presence here was more about a nice place to live than love. 

All of whom, it seemed, had caught Cedar’s eye. Which one would be his choice?

Cedar and Oak paddled up to join them, emerald heads turned bronze under the dock’s glow, “Ladies, welcome,” Oak greeted, “I know you just went through a fry ceremony, but tonight’s just getting started. Our next challenge is all about food.”

Cedar picked up, his eyes bright, “It’s no secret that food is one of the best parts of living here. Every guest handout or spilled lunch is a treat. So for this next challenge, I want to see your best snack. Scavenge it, steal it, whatever you like,” He winked, “The winner gets to ride the ferris wheel with me until sunrise. And receives a french fry that protects her from the next elimination.”

Dahlia practically felt the collective inhale around her at that. There weren’t many of them left. Being safe in the next elimination could mean the difference between leaving the park and staying for life.

Oak picked up again, “Feel free to team up, or to get help from friends or family if you have them. Meet in front of the ferris wheel in two hours.”

“Go!”

Snapdragon took off immediately, drenching all of them. Poppy and Lilac squealed in protest, but Dahlia didn’t stay to listen. There was no time for leisurely walking now, because she knew just who she needed to see if food was involved. She soared above the paddleboat pond and headed for the roller coaster, stopping only to grab a half-full container of popcorn from an open trash can. 

She landed in front of the coaster and looked around, feeling the familiar clench in her stomach. Had pest control finally found her friends? But relief flooded her when she saw a pink nose poke out from a bush, followed by a warm set of black eyes, “Dahlia?”

“Thistle!” She waddled over and set down the popcorn, “You’re still alive!”

“Of course we’re still alive!” Thistle emerged, followed by his brothers Thorn and Nightshade, “You know I’m too clever to let the humans get us.”

“Dearest Dahlia!” Nightshade cried, sitting up on his haunches, “We simply must catch up! How’s the competition? Have you had to kill anyone yet?”

“It’s not that kind of competition, Nightshade,” Thistle admonished.

“Any competition can use some bloodshed!” Nightshade replied cheerfully, “All’s fair in love and-”

“Is there a challenge tonight?” Thorn interrupted, “Is that why you came to us?”

“There is,” Dahlia admitted, “And it’s food-related.”

Thorn perked up, “Then we’re going help you win it! What do you need?”

The trio of rats munched on the popcorn while Dahlia laid out the challenge. Once she finished, Thistle and Nightshade waited respectfully for Thorn to weigh in, “Halloween season is in full swing,” Thorn said finally, rubbing his ears as he thought, “Do you know how he feels about pumpkin spice?”

“I don’t,” Dahlia admitted, “He tends to prefer savory food though.”

“Hmm. There’s a chili corn dog this year I found rather interesting.”

“Ugh!” Nightshade shuddered, “That was disgusting! She’d get kicked out of the park for sure!”

“The pickle popcorn could be appealing,” Thistle suggested, “I found it to be a bold twist on an overdone concept.”

“She can do better than popcorn!” Nightshade countered, “Ducks eat that all day!”

“There’s nothing wrong with-”

They continued to bicker, and Dahlia’s thoughts drifted to earlier days. She couldn’t help the nostalgia, even in the face of the impending challenge. It had been right here, after all. So many months ago, and yet she could still see herself like it was yesterday. 

She’d been a half-grown scrap of a duckling, but she was still determined to feed Thorn, Nightshade, and Thistle. The rat pups were newly orphaned, and she couldn’t bear to leave them to starve. So when her mother and hatchmates settled down for an afternoon nap, she’d bravely waddled to the roller coaster alone with a full container of popcorn for the rats. She’d been so preoccupied trying to drag the popcorn that she didn’t notice the smashed pretzel in her path. 

At least not until she tripped over it, going beak over webbed feet in a salty tumble, and landed on the sidewalk with the popcorn container on her head.

Then the pretzel has her full attention. 

She’d been blinking in startled confusion when laughter sounded next to her, “That was great! We should sign you up for the parade!”

She’d poked her head out from under the popcorn container and squeaked in alarm. A duckling she’d never seen before was standing next to her, “Need some help there?” He offered. 

She stared, wordless, and he’d easily lifted the container, “Careful with that popcorn,” He said with a wink, “It’s deadly.”

Dahlia finally found her voice, “It's not mine.”

“Oh?”

“It’s for my friends. They’re rats.”

“Can’t rats find their own food?”

“Not these ones. They’re babies.”

“Oh,” Now the duckling sounded surprised, maybe even a little impressed, “Did their parents die?”

“Yes. Pest control got them.”

“That’s sad,” The duckling thought for a moment, “Here, take my pretzel for them.”

“Sure?” Dahlia eyed the smashed pretzel doubtfully, “That’s a good snack.”

“Yes. I can always find another,” The duckling helped her load pieces of pretzel into the popcorn container, “I’m Cedar, by the way. What’s your name?”

“Dahlia,” She’d accepted the container and then looked down again, suddenly shy, “Thanks.”

“No problem!” Cedar said cheerfully, “Do you need help dragging it?”

“No. I don’t want to draw too much attention."

“Then it was nice meeting you!” Cedar had turned to waddle away, “I’m sure I’ll see you around!”

And oh, she had. For months it seemed like Cedar was everywhere she turned. But he was just as kind to everyone else as he’d been to her. There were always other males teasing him, or an adoring flock of females hanging on his every word. Dahlia could never work up the courage to fight for his attention again, though she’d longed for it.

That last thought brought her back to the competition, and she sighed. Had anything changed? What could she do to set herself apart?

The idea hit in an instant, so obvious she almost smacked her head with her wing, “I have it! I need a pretzel!”

Three confused rats blinked at her, whatever debate they’d been having lost in an instant, “You mean a soft pretzel?” Thorn asked.

“Yes! And smashed!”

Nightshade choked back a laugh, “Dearest Dahlia, you want to win, don’t you?”

Dahlia pushed down a wave of doubt, “I do. Trust me.”

“Well…that shouldn’t be hard to find, at least,” Thorn sounded resigned, “I think I saw one under a cart a couple of minutes ago. Hold on.”

The three rats returned minutes later, a smashed pretzel carried between them. Chucks of salt tumbled off as they laid it at Dahlia’s feet, “That’s perfect!” She declared.

“It’s not,” Nightshade said firmly, looking at the pretzel with disdain.

“But it’s what you needed,” Thistle glared at him, “So good luck. Will you come by tomorrow night and let us know how it goes?”

Dahlia dipped her head, “I will. And I’ll bring more popcorn.” 

“Excellent!” Her three friends waved at her as she gathered her pretzel and took off into the night sky. It was a brief flight to the ferris wheel, and she arrived first. The others trickled in over the next hour. Poppy and Lilac both had morsels of what appeared to be the same orange cupcake, and Iris waddled up with a slice of pepperoni pizza. Finally Snapdragon arrived, dragging an entire pristine caramel apple. Dahlia tried not to stare, wondering how she’d managed that. It was impressive, but how was Cedar even going to eat it? It was half his size!

Cedar and Oak finally waddled up at the two hour mark, “I see you all had no trouble with your hunt,” Oak’s gaze swept over their food items, lingering for a moment on Dahlia’s, “It all looks delicious. Snapdragon, you may present first.”

One by one, the others presented their items. Cedar took nibbles of each one, murmuring approvingly. When it was her turn, Dahlia lifted her pretzel and walked forward. She heard a snort from Snapdragon and a giggle from Poppy, but she didn’t flinch. This time she forced herself to meet Cedar’ gaze, “I’ve always owed you a pretzel.”

He looked surprised for a moment, and then amusement flickered in his eyes. Relief poured through Dahlia. This wouldn’t have worked if he didn’t remember their meeting, “I never held you in any debt.” 

Dahlia lifted her head proudly, “I know. But I still wanted to pay you back.”

“How are your friends?”

“Alive and well, thanks partly to you,” Dahlia nodded to the pretzel, “They found that for you.”

“Then give them my thanks,” Cedar lowered his head and took a bite, “I do love pretzels.”

“Me too,” Dahlia stepped back into line, suddenly aware that her other competitors were staring at her. But they weren’t mocking anymore. Did they look…jealous?

Even Oak looked a little surprised at their interaction, “Well, that was quite the meal, Cedar! Do we have a winner?”

“Yes,” Cedar didn’t hesitate, “Dahlia, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the ferris wheel?”

Elation shot through Dahlia. There was a cry from Lilac and Snapdragon cursed, but she didn’t pay either of them any attention, “Yes!”

Cedar brightened, and he nodded for her to come forward, “And will you accept this french fry?”

He lifted a french fry, this one intact, golden, and warm. Dahlia ruffled her feathers a little, pleased, and bent to eat it quickly. Behind them she could hear Oak providing her disappointed competitors with instructions for tomorrow, but she couldn’t focus enough to listen. She was certain Cedar could fill her in. Once she finished her fry they waddled up the ramp toward the ferris wheel’s entrance, wings brushing, “Have you ever been on it?” Cedar asked. 

“No,” Dahlia answered, “I know a lot of ducks like to sneak in for rides while the humans test it, but I’ve never been brave enough.”

Cedar’s eyes gleamed, “Are you brave enough now?”

Dahlia paused, gazing up at the ferris wheel’s pink and turquoise lights.

“Yes. I suppose I am.”