๑ third encounter / sixth step ♚

[polarization]

—hand's cold. [ Plane, say hello. Today there are two people appearing at once, one possibly a bit familiar, while the other possibly a bit... tinier. Chivy has the smaller, younger boy's hand. The child, about eight or so, has a white, stuffed rabbit (with a blue lace ribbon around its neck) clutched between his other arm and chest. However, he cuts off when he sees the surrounding area, eyes going almost ridiculously wide. ]

Wh-whu—?

I told you it was cool. It's called the Plane.

[ Kid kind of drops to his knees, using his occupied arm to reach down and feel at the 'floor'. His expression and voice is half-scared-out-of-his-wits and half-awe. ] But we're not in a plane...

[Chivy bends so that they're not in a completely awkward position.] No, it's— That's just what it's called. There's people here, too.

Space people?

Not really. Well, I mean, maybe some of them. [It's tough to answer questions you don't actually know the answer to.] You can ask if we see anybody?

[ Standard boyo disclaimer applies, now with child experiment addendum! ]

Comments

[polarization]

I am! I am! [ He's totally leaning for all his little body is worth! Which isn't a lot, but hey. Then, he notices something. ]

Oh no, we left Gab'riel!

[oliverplus]

[blinks, looking down at him] Gabriel?

[polarization]

[ Points to the stuffed rabbit that got dropped amidst all the kerfluffle. ] Uh-huh!

[oliverplus]

Oh! Well, we'll just have to fix that. But really slowly. We don't want a fireball to catch us! [starts scooting forward very carefully]

[polarization]

[ And Sefton clings to Oliver in suspense. ]

But what if the fire gets to him first?

[oliverplus]

[whispers conspiratorially] How about... I'll distract it, and then you make a run for him?

[polarization]

[ He nods determinedly! ] Okay. I can do that!

[oliverplus]

Great! [scoots him carefully out of his lap, then turns to "the fireball"] Hey, over here! [jumps to his feet, waving at it]

[polarization]

Be careful! [ And Sefton skitters off to scoop Gabriel into his arms, then whirls around to see how well fireball herding is going for Oliver. ]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver, being the dork that he is, takes a great--and very dramatic--leap to the side, which is supposed to turn into a smooth roll, but doesn't quite. he ends up sprawled on the floor of the Plane, laughing]

[polarization]

[ Sefton starts laughing, too, but he's not done yet! ]

Uh-oh! I'll save you!

[ Trots over and drapes himself across Oliver's chest, as if to block the imaginary fireballs floating around everywhere. He's shaking a lot, mostly because he's just giggling too much. ]

[oliverplus]

Do a barrel roll! [scoops Sefton up and rolls over with him, dodging the fireballs!]

[polarization]

[ Squeaks, and tries holding on to Oliver while they roll around. ]

'm rolling!

[oliverplus]

[lands on his back, letting go of Sefton and stretching out his arms exultantly] We're free! We did it!

[polarization]

[ Sefton simply lays there, clutching his rabbit and giggling to himself. ]

Yeah? They're gone?

[oliverplus]

Yep! They must've run out. Good job, Sefton!

[polarization]

[ He beams. ] You too! Couldn't've done it without you.

[oliverplus]

[grins back] Great teamwork! [pulls himself up and holds out a hand to give him a high five]

[polarization]

[ Sits up and high-fives! ... then has Gabriel also give a high-five. ] Thanks for helping me save Gab'riel.

[oliverplus]

Sure thing. [addresses the bear] Good to see you're safe, Gabriel.

[polarization]

[ He twitches the doll's arm and head around as if he's trying to say something. ]

Gab'riel says thanks, too.

[oliverplus]

[grins] Good. I'm sure he's glad to have such good friends.

[polarization]

Yeah, me too.

[oliverplus]

So am I!

[polarization]

[ He grins. After a moment... ]

Hey, Oliver?