High above Lazytown was a familiar blue airship, and on the plank a slightly above average hero in blue was looking at the train in the distance. That train almost never brought anyone, except Stephanie, and that event always marked the beginning of the summer for Sportacus and for the children in Lazytown. But Stephanie arrived two weeks ago, so Sportacus didn't expect anyone, but he liked to keep an eye on the train anyway.
He was more than surprised, when someone got off the train, and left the train station, heading straight to the town centre in the foggy early morning.
– Hmm, interesting – he mumbled to himself, when he saw the person drop down a skateboard and step on it with ease.
– I better be welcoming them – he decided, so he jumped off with a rope, to touch the ground as soon as he could.
He waited for the particular person, right at the edge of the town, under the Lazytown sign.
They kicked up the skateboard, pulled out the headphones, and stepped closer to the blue hero.
– I didn't expect anyone this early. – she said with a smile.
– I'm an early bird – he said with a childish smile, and held out a hand – I'm Sportacus, welcome to Lazytown.
– Nice to meet you, Sportacus, I'm Clarissa Meyer. – she smiled back, shaking his hand– Call me Cassie.
– Come, let me show you around. And you can tell, how can I be at your help. – he gestured towards the town centre.
Sportacus has never seen a more unusual person in his life, and wanted to know more about her. She was wearing skater shoes, with dark blue cargo pants, a skull pattern tank top, and a black zipped hoodie. She was sporty but she had several rings on her fingers, a lot of bracelets, and even a piercing in her left eyebrow. Her hair, what was in a blond and light brown messy bun, and her tanned skin, also the huge backpack she had made Sportacus wondering how long would she be on the road.
– Are you travelling a lot? – he asked her innocently, guiding her towards the basketball field. He always found that, a little basketball can ease a person into talking, so he planned to invite her to play a little. He wanted to ask some questions, because Cassie left him puzzled, but he didn't want to be rude about it. He couldn't quite figure out if he could trust her, the way she looked left him feeling uneasy, but he found that the way she held her skateboard made her very likeable to him.
– Is that so obvious? Jeez I would look like shit, I didn't get a proper shower in a week. – she said, and made Sportacus smile uncomfortably.
– See, I'm backpacking, and I didn't have a chance to stay in a place, 'cos I was on the way here, so if you know a place…
Cassie tried to joke around the situation, but she knew already she would look like a mess.
– It's not that bad at all – he assured Cassie – I asked because you look like someone who spends a lot of time in the sun. And the backpack. It really gives you away. – He flashed an encouraging smile at her.
– Thanks, you look quite pleasing in that blue suite of yours too – she flashed a dirty smirk to him – is that some kind of uniform?
– It is actually, but it's a complicated story – he replied, but wanted to change the subject.
– Do you play basketball? – he gestured towards the field as they arrived.
– I haven't played since I was in school, but let's try it. – She jumped the fence with ease – it's the best way to get to know someone better, and you look like an interesting guy already.
Sportacus was on edge with her, and couldn't quite figure out how he felt around that person. She looked like someone who means well, but brings trouble at the same time.
– Basketball – he yelled towards the sky, and from the airship the ball fall to hand immediately.
– What the fuck? – she jumped a little – You have to teach me this trick man!
Sportacus modestly pointed upward – That was just my airship.
– You have an airship!? – Cassie giggled and caught the ball he threw to her – Sportacus you are the most unexpected person I have ever met.
He nodded in agreement because he had the exact same feeling.
Cassie threw the ball to the rim, but it bounced back from the backboard, so she threw it to Sportacus.
– Backpacking, you said?
– Yep – she watched as he got the point with ease – It means I travel around the world just as much stuff as I can fit into my backpack. And before you ask, how often do I go home, I don't. I live on the road, and when I stop, I work for food and selter, and a little bit of money.
– That sounds interesting and dangerous at the same time – he replied, passing back the ball to her.
– That is, but I wouldn't be who I am today, if the road wouldn't shale me – she joked, and put her hand to her heart theatrically – But say, how did you become the freelancer protector of this place?
Her shot missed again, but Sportacus jumped up, got the ball when it bounced back, and bagged it before he landed on his feet again.
– I'm just helping out here. My friends are living here in Lazytown.
Cassie put her hands on her hips, and frowned in disbelief, but the playful smile never left her face.
– Don't tell me, you have a bloody airship, and you are not going anywhere with it!
– I used to travel a lot, but I decided to stay here.
As they played for a half an hour more, Cassie wondered if the same could happen to her again, while Sportacus decided he would give her a chance. She was a traveller, as he was too for a long time, and he knew how comfortable it was that he could always go home to his airship. She was travelling without having a home to follow her everywhere, without having a safe spot to always return to. He felt they are somewhat similar, but still so different from each other.
They played until the first people of Lazytown woke up, and came out from their houses. The children, of course.