He frowned, saying nothing before he started off towards the rocks. *** She grinned. "I would love that." *** He tilted his head. "It's beautiful."
She looked over at him with a frown, tilting her head curiously. “Where are you going?” *** “Interior design is your thing, I can tell.” *** “Isn’t it?” she said fondly, walking along the driftwood again.
"To the rocks," he said, "to find tide pools." *** "Interior design? Hardly. I like.. finding stuff. Like the shells." *** "Yeah," he said, looking back up at her. "What are you doing?"
She watched him for a moment, tilting her head. "Can I come with?" she asked after a moment. * * * "Exterior design, then. I put you in charge of design for the castle." ** * "Proprioception testing," she explained. "I read it in a book once. Proprioceptors are mechanics in our brain that tell us where we are in space and time. Essentially, they're our sense of balance."
He turned back to her thoughtfully, his hands in his pockets. "I wouldn't mind the company." *** "I will do my best to make it look good." *** He frowned. "That's.. a lot. You're just balancing, then?"
She raised an eyebrow, considering him for a moment. "You can say no if you'd like to be alone." * * * "I'd trust you with my life. I believe in your capabilities." * * * She laughed lightly, turning to look at him and balancing herself by placing a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah. Balancing."
He waved his hand dismissively. "I'd like it if you came along." *** She grinned. "I have to get more supplies, then!" *** "That's easier for me to understand. Want to look around?"
She paused before giving him a small, almost shy smile before leaving the water, still barefoot. "Okay. Let's go." * * * "Godspeed," he said with a small laugh, shaking his head. * * * "Sure," she said cheerfully. "Want to go for a swim? Do you know how to swim?"
He returned a smile, and they headed towards the rocks. *** She went off again, looking for things to decorate with. *** He hesitated, looking at the water. "No, I can't swim. As far as I know, none of us can. Except Dion, maybe."
They approached the tide pools and she headed to the rocks, her head tilted curiously. * * * He continued working, humming under his breath. * * * She grinned brightly, taking his hands playfully. "Can I teach you?"
He looked around inside the pools, his eyes bright with curiosity. *** She returned to him again after a bit, dropping her discoveries. *** He pursed his lips. "In the ocean?"
She considered one of the tide pools, dipping her fingers in the water to touch a sea anemone. It stuck to her fingers and her laugh bubbled outside of her in surprise, brightening her face. * * * He laughed deeply, looking up at her. "Blaisey, you know I love you dearly, but you are a five-year-old." * * * "Yeah!" she said enthusiastically.
He observed her thoughtfully, his expression gentle. He took off his shoes and rolled up his pants a bit before joining her. "Did you find something?" *** She gave him a small smile. "Yes, well.. I just want our sand castle to look the best." *** He went towards the water with a slight frown. "What about the waves?"
She looked up at him brightly, grinning widely. "Dion, it's grabbing my finger." * * * "As compared to what?" * * * "I'm a good swimmer," she reassured him. "I'll save you."
He grinned as well, leaning down to touch it as well. *** She raised an eyebrow. "Everything." *** "I don't know.. I don't want to go far in."
It clung to his fingers and she rested her head on her arm. "I love it." * * * "Hm. Fine. You're crazy, you know." * * * She softened, patting his head. "Don't worry. We don't have to."
He chuckled, standing up and exploring some of the other tide pools. After a bit of searching he stood straight. "I found some starfish!" *** "Yeah, whatever," she teased, sitting behind him and leaning on his back. *** He went in to his ankles. "I'm not ready for the ocean."
She looked up excitedly, her cold demeanor having disappeared. "Where?" she asked, coming over to him and looking over his shoulder. * * * He rested his head back affectionately, looking over at her. "Insane." * * * "Then let's not go in," she said easily. "We'll go explore something else."
He looked at her with a grin before kneeling down and pointing to a large purple starfish that was tucked against the rock. "There," he said, before standing up and looking back towards the others. "Guys! Starfish!" *** She looked back at him with a small grin, leaning over his shoulders. They were rather close. "Maybe I am." *** He looked up. "Starfish?"
Aisling was entranced, kneeling down next to him and looking at the starfish with her wide, hazel eyes. "Holy *squee!*." * * * He rolled his eyes playfully, raising an eyebrow as he watched her. "There's no maybe about it. You do crazy things." * * * She looked over at the tide pool before gesturing with her head. "Let's go."
