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]

Okay. Let's do that!

[oliverplus]

Great! [starts in on the wall, doing a bit more of a rush job than before. the last thing he wants to do is bore the kid]

[polarization]

[ Sefton works on the tower, same pace as before. He seems content, if not a little fidgety now. ]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is just about done with the wall! glances at Sefton, but it looks like he's okay]

[polarization]

Done! [ Sits back and looks over what they've managed to make. It's not as big as he'd hoped, but... it's not too shabby, either. ]

[oliverplus]

[moves back with him and gives him a grin] Look at that! Impressive, huh?

[polarization]

Yeah! [ He grins back up to Oliver, then reaches over and puts Gabriel on one of the towers. ] There.

[oliverplus]

[smiles, amused] Perfect!

[polarization]

It's a good fortress.

[oliverplus]

Yeah. Good job. [reaches down to ruffle his hair]

[polarization]

[ Smiles happily! ] What next?

[oliverplus]

Uh... Well, we could get a snack if you're hungry. Or watch a film. Or find your friend Chivy, if you wanted.

[polarization]

Um... [ Mention of Chivy has him looking kind of guilty and downcast. ] ... um.

[oliverplus]

What's wrong?

[polarization]

I shouldn't'a wandered off...

[oliverplus]

[frowns] Hey, it's okay. You were with me. And we can go back and get him!

[polarization]

But... [ He looks up, eyes large and kinda sad. ] Mama and Daddy always get really, really worried when if I wander off. I don' want Chivy to be worried too.

[oliverplus]

Well, then we'd better find him, huh?

[polarization]

[ Nodnod. ] Yeah. Do you... 'member where we were?

[oliverplus]

Yeah! We were...uh...over that way! [points] Let's go. [offers his hand]

[polarization]

[ Takes it! While snatching Gabriel off the fortress tower and cuddling it up against his chest. ]

[oliverplus]

[leads the way back toward where they left Chivy, hoping the other young man is still there]

[polarization]

[ Sefton trots along, simply humming to himself quietly and fairly frequently readjusts his hand in Oliver's. ]

[oliverplus]

[when Oliver spots a shock of red hair in the distance, he smiles in relief and lets go of Sefton's hand] There he is! You go have fun, okay, Sefton?

[polarization]

[ Sefton, however, keeps his hold. ] You're not gonna come?