Alek peeked over her shoulder. He tried to stifle a laugh. Deryn tried not to hit him. "What are you drawing?" he asked. It was a lovely day so they decided to lounge about on the spine. Unfortunately for Alek, Count Volger had other ideas, witch is why he had on enough padding to protect him form a rogue hydro-sniffer. It was time for fencing practice. Deryn was watching and drawing when he finally go a brake.

"I am trying to draw the sunset." She said through gritted teeth. "But I do not have any barking colors, so you can see why it would be bloody irritating to be taunted and I would appreciate it if you did not make fun of me!" her voice was growing in pitch and volume. She had to calm down before some one else heard. She took a deep breath.

Alek stared at her for a moment, and then blushed, ashamed to have turned her anger to him. "It's inappropriate for a young lady to curse." He said softly.

Deryn stared at him, eye's wide. She was so shocked at the simplicity of that comment that she laughed. "That's what you decided to take from my little rant?" imitating his voice and wagging her finger; "young ladies shouldn't curse. Aye, they also shouldn't wear pants!" she laughed at him while he frowned.

"Yes, Deryn, I suppose your right." She sighed. He'd been like this since she'd told him.

After Dr. Barlow left the egg, Alek promptly went to go find Deryn. He had been very confused when he reached her cabin. She tried to calm him down, set him down, but when he realized that he was alone in a bedroom with a girl, there was no saving him. Deryn literally had to tackle her friend to the floor to keep him from leaving. When Alek was done with his panicky attack, she got a change to explain things; like name, reason, ability. She thought he had come to gripes with their unconventional friendship, but things were odd between them lately. Alek always seemed to be nervous and jumpy. He was anxious and blushing and she often found him smiling like a ninny for no reason.

It was funny and frustrating at he same time. She wanted things to go back to normal. Back to when they could just laugh at each other and talk without being awkward. They were both trying to their best to act normally; but every time Alek said her name, her real name, she felt a shiver go down her spine; and when she looked at Alek he blushed.

It had been quit too long; Deryn cleared her throat, "so, um, how's your fencing going?" she asked lightly. Aye, a pleasant conversation. That would set things back in motion. Maybe they could be as close as they were again.

He shrugged, "Pretty well I suppose." He looked at her with a sad smile, "Well that's my option, anyway. Count Volger thinks I will never improve. But this is the first time I've gotten a change to practice since come on bored the Leviathan, so I think I'm doing well."

"Well you look ed good out there." His green eye's widened. He stared at her until she realized her mistake. "I-I mean… I've never seen anyone fence before b-but you seem to be pretty good at it, mate!" she punched him on the shoulder with a chuckle. Why is this so hard?

Alek continued to stare at her, "What?" she finally yelped, shifting under his gaze.

"What does 'mate' mean to you?" he asked with a worried confused look. Deryn almost laughed at him again.

"'Mate' is English slang for friend." She explained; he nodded in understanding.

"But," oh no, "I thought 'mate' meant a sort of marriage partner. Almost a coupling. You are a Darwinist."

"Oh… well… aye…" he looked nervous again. "But that's not what I meant when I said it to you. Don't worry I wouldn't call you that."

"Why not?" he asked, a little offended.

Deryn was astonished. She didn't know e actually want to be her "mate". But he probably doesn't. No, no he doesn't he's just offended that she would even make him an option. "Because….." what do I say! "Because….." What do I say? Do I even want that? No, we're too young. Oh! Say that! "Well, because I'm too young to be looking for a, um, 'mate' and I'm currently a boy."

"Oh." Is all he said, but at least he looks better.

"Do you have any slang words for friend in German?" just to change the subject.

"I wouldn't know," he said in a small sad voice. "You're my first friend." He looked up at her; she looked back.

"Poor boy," Deryn put her arm around Alek. "And I just had to turn out to be a girl." she offered him a mischievous smile and he returned it.

"Brake over!" Volger yelled. He had been watching the two "boys" and was quit unnerved by what he just saw. When he yelled, they jumped, he smiled.

"Right, I'm sorry Deryn, I have to go." He got up slowly and sadly.

"Aye, it's fine" she stood by his side.

"Good luck with your sunset." He said, gesturing to her sketchpad.

"Good luck with," she gestured to his padding, "all of this." They laughed. Things were getting easier.

"I said your brake is over Aleksandar!" Volger yelled. Before now, no one had moved. Now Alek stared to back away.

"Bye." He said.

"Bye." She laughed.

Alek went back to his practice and Deryn her drawing when the alarm sounded.