He squinted but nodded. "Okay." *** "You have more?" he asked curiously. "What are they?" *** She went over inside the booth, unfolding a cardboard box to put the toys in. "It's a great name."
Slowly, watching to make sure he was on the same page, she began to swing dance with him, moving them back and forth. * * * She pursed her lips, considering him for a moment. "Plant diagrams and star maps," she replied, tilting her head. "Most of my tattoos have a practical use." She extended her pointer finger to him. "See?" There was a tiny ruler tattoo along the side of the finger. She shrugged, slipping her hands in her pockets. "For rough estimations." * * * "So it's settled. You're changing your name to Balthazar."
He seemed confused, obviously trying hard to follow along. *** "Huh.." he pursed his lips as they approached the car. "That's cool." *** "Wait, what?"
She beamed at him brightly. "There! You're doing great!" * * * She raised an eyebrow, glancing over at him for a moment. "Cool?" * * * "You said it was a good name."
"Yeah, you really are," she said sincerely, watching their feet. "You're doing really well, Jaz." * * * She gave him a hesitant smile as they approached the car. "Cool. Huh. Okay. I'll take it." * * * "So you were lying."
He nodded slowly. "Thank you." *** "Would you prefer something else?" *** She paused before raising an eyebrow. "Is my name not good enough?"
She pulled away after a moment, looking up at him thoughtfully. “You did it,” she praised. “You danced!” *** “No, cool is great. I just never considered myself to be particularly cool.” *** “Your name is perfect, Blaisey, in my opinion. You, however, obviously prefer Balthazar.”
He grinned, obviously excited. "I danced!" *** "Really?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I think you're cool." *** "I like Balthazar for the bear," she said, putting plushies in the box.
"Yeah!" she replied enthusiastically. "You danced! I'm proud of you." * * * She looked over at him for a moment. If she had been the blushing type, she would have. "It's because I saved your life, isn't it?" * * * "But you don't want me to call you Balthazar?"
"And it was kinda simple!" *** He tilted his head, getting rocks to set up a sort of campfire. "Well, no. I it was cool that you did that, but you also have tattoos, drive, and jump across buildings and stuff as well." *** "Right," she said, coming around and picking up the box full of toys. "Let's go to the car and put this in."
"Yup! Most dancing is just following another person," she said with a shrug, going over to the edge again. * * * "Oh. I see. I'm a badass. That's what you're trying to say." * * * "Great idea, Balthazar," he said enthusiastically, taking the box from her and giving her the bear to hold instead.
"That's easy enough.. Should we get off?' *** He pursed his lips. "Aren't they the same thing?" *** A small smile crossed her lips as she rolled her eyes, taking the bear.
"Yeah," she said with a nod. "We're approaching the ground here." * * * "I think cool more refers to personality," she said with a shrug. "Being badass is an aesthetic." * * * He hoisted up the box to his chest, heading back.
He looked over the edge. "Okay." *** "Hm.. You're still cool. You saved my life." *** She followed, her arms around the bear warmly.
She considered it before jumping out, rolling to a stop with a small groan before standing up. “Hold on, Jaz. I can stop it for you.” *** She laughed slightly, and he might detect a faint pink crossing her cheeks. “Thanks, Dion. You’re alright too.” *** He set down the toys in the back of the car, stretching his arms.
He looked panicked for a moment as he stayed on alone. "Okay.." *** "Thanks," he said warmly, putting some wood and old papers onto the fire. "Let's get this thing going." *** She offered him the bear, her head tilted.
She hurried to the control center and it screeched to a stop quickly, sparks flying from the gears. *** She nodded, dipping her fingers into her pocket and pulling out an old Zippo lighter, flicking the flame on. *** He took the bear with a respectful nod.
He hopped off quickly, returning to her. *** It lit up, slowly catching onto the logs. *** She returned to the side of the car, leaning against it and observing the fire.
She looked up at him with a small grin, a smear of gear grease across her chin. "You all good?" * * * Aisling nodded to herself, leaning back on her feet before going to the car. * * * Ellis buckled Balthazar into the seat in the car before beginning to pull out bed rolls.
