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[commandertoolbelt]

[ Leo's been scarce for the last few days. He's shown up once or twice, but he's vanished just as quickly, with hardly a word to anyone except maybe his sister. Anyone observant may have noticed him sporting a new leather tool belt, but who really looks that hard? He's just a mechanic, after all.

So where's he been? That's a Cabin Nine secret. But when he reemerges, he's landing a giant dragon automaton made of Celestial bronze somewhere between the arena and the forges. Look, guys, he's got wings now! ]

Comments

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Snort. ]

Then what'd I bring you here for? It's not like we're friends or anything; I totally thought you were my sister.

[clearasil]

[ Natalie lifts her eyebrows, tilting her head in his direction. Best to keep it nonchalant. ]

Maybe not, but I can set things on fire too.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Somehow he manages to keep himself from flinching. So she... noticed. Stupid, of course she noticed; she'd have to be blind not to. Best course of action: pretend nothing happened, Leo decides, leading the way over to a table covered in blueprints and pencils and rulers and sketches. ]

Drafting table. These are all old; whoever was here last left some genius designs behind.

[ And one that still stood out to him - the ship with the dragon masthead. Every time he comes this way he finds himself staring, but he can't help it. That's his drawing, only... a real blueprint. Something that could actually be built. Back when the wind took the crayon version away, he'd never thought he would see it again. ]

[clearasil]

[ She doesn't blame him for not wanting to talk about it. After all, she has a small history of causing some trouble unintentionally, even before camp.

Natalie quietly pulls one of the blueprints over to inspect it, gentle and careful not to tear or crease any of the pages. ]

You planning on building any of these?

[commandertoolbelt]

I'd like to.

[ His eyes linger on the warship momentarily before turning to the others, brushing his fingers over a few. ]

But I've got Festus to work on now. Once he's all fixed up, we'll see.

[ He turns suddenly, having heard an odd clunking noise, but a warm smile spreads across his face when he recognizes the sound. Is it getting closer? ]

Almost forgot! Buford!

[clearasil]

Buford? [ Maybe she'll hazard a guess. ] Another automaton?

[ She turns around to follow the noise herself. No, it doesn't sound quite like Millard or Festus. Perhaps smaller. ]

[commandertoolbelt]

Nope!

[ And hobbling into view around a storage bin is a three-legged table with one drawer - currently locked, so it wouldn't tromp around Bunker 9 and spill its contents everywhere - and it... looks happy? Who knows; the thing's just kind of dancing around, so maybe. }

Natalie, meet Buford the table. Buford, Natalie. He helps me work.

[clearasil]

[ Actually ... yeah it looks quite jaunty if you asked her. She purses her lips to the side before she breaks into a grin, bowing her head respectfully. ]

Buford the Bunker 9 Table. It's a pleasure.

[ He reminds her of the magic carpet, actually, more than Festus. ] This place is insane, Leo. It's like a type of Disneyland for you, isn't it?

[commandertoolbelt]

[ Absolutely beaming. ]

We don't have a talking trashcan - [ yet ] - but we've got the next best thing... Free admission!

[ Truth be told, Leo thinks this is better anyway, because it's his. ]

[clearasil]

[ She laughs softly. ] Amusement parks charge exorbitant fees.

And - [ She spreads her arms, even giving a little spin not really characteristic of her. ] - no lines. I could get used to something like that.

[commandertoolbelt]

Even better.

[ His expression turns thoughtful. ]

It could maybe use a fast food place or two. Dragon-themed, of course.

[ Cabin Nine is all about the dragons these days. ]

[clearasil]

[ Natalie snorts in an unbecoming manner and covers her face with a shake of her head. ]

Jeez. Yeah. Dragon fries and fire broiled burgers.

[ Oh, yeah. She drops her hand, looking at him seriously. ] And no fish.

[commandertoolbelt]

What self-respecting dragon would eat fish?

[ Appalled. He is absolutely appalled at the suggestion, and Festus echoes the sentiment with a low grinding noise like a growl. How dare you. ]

[clearasil]

Hey, fellas, I'm just saying. [ With her hands held up in defense. No offense meant, Festus. ]

What would he prefer at this fast food joint? You mentioned tacos earlier.

[commandertoolbelt]

[ He nods, letting his eyes wander the workshop while he thinks about it. ]

Tacos with extra tabasco, oil on the side. A good burger is essential, and fries with just the right amount of grease...

[ Suddenly, Leo's eyes widen as if he's just had the greatest idea ever. And, for the moment, he totally has. ]

Taco burgers!

[clearasil]

Is that a thing? it should totally be a thing if it isn't.

[ If she wasn't full from dinner, she might have a craving for it now. Speaking of dinner ... ]

We should head back in a little. Or I should if you wanna stay. [ But then again, the sun doesn't set until a little after eight. ]

[commandertoolbelt]

I've never heard of it before, but we can make it one!

[ He's all excited for a new project, and he has to take a moment to scramble for a scrap of paper and a pen to write it down before he forgets. And then his excitement wanes at the reminder of curfew. Curfews suck, but he's not planning to work on Festus anymore tonight. Might as well let the dragon sleep, and get some sleep himself. ]

Guess you're right.

[ He's spent a lot of time up here over the weekend anyway. At least some of his time should be spent in other parts of the camp. ]