Hello everyone, Viltiger here.
This is a remastered version of an older story I made a few years back. However, it does not mean I got everything right, but I am trying to give this story the meat it deserves.
Now, the characters in this story have accents or, at times speaks an entirely different language. I don't know how to write dialects and I doubt many of you want a translator around to understand what is going on. So I resolve in keeping it simple by not doing either. You will see what I mean in future chapters.
Enjoy!
Rain wasn't unusual in Boston; every city located at the great inlet of New France dealt with this kind of humid weather and people living there have long gotten used to it. Today wasn't much different; a new cloud of water fell over the city and everyone who could have already sought cover from the rain— no wish to get wet this early on the day.
One person did not have the luxury of seeking cover inside the industrial buildings. In fact, Nathan didn't even have the chance to get appropriately dressed and his fleece jacket sucked the water like a sponge. He really regrets that now, but being late for work the last thing on one's mind is to track down his raincoat.
Nathan loves running, been doing that since he was a small kid. He started running to keep up with his much stronger brothers, and now Nathan can proudly say he is the fastest of their brotherly gang. Who needs muscles when his opponent cannot catch him? Yeah, Nathan loves running.
But his current situation does put a damp on his pride. Even with his dashing speed, Nathan cannot avoid getting soaked or get past the many puddles coating the streets he's been living on for as long as he can remember.
"This sucks!" His daemon; a grey-brown wild rabbit, named Nalini complains loudly. Like him, she's soaked from the rain, making her usual scruffy fur flatten awkwardly down. Looking down, he sees Nalini is going out of her way to avoid the bigger pools of water but eventually gives up and runs through them. It's not like she can get any wetter. "I told you drinking Bonk before bed was a bad idea!"
"Yeah yeah." Nathan huffs down to her, not really in the mood to hear his daemon's complaints, but he does know why Nalini is like this. She only displays the annoyance he currently feels about this whole thing. 'I really shouldn't have taken that energy drink.' and worries this screwup might be what gets him sacked.
He can't fault her for voicing his annoyance, however; "It's also your fault and you know it." He can be angry about Nalini's stalling habit when he needed to get his ass moving.
Nalini takes shape as a seagull and flies up before him. "Come on." She whines playfully. "Tom Jones was on the radio! So what we're coming a bit late?" She flies a bit beforehand, only stops when they both feel the discomfort from the limit of the invisible bond between them. She turns around in midair, allowing him to catch up. "It is only a one in a lifetime we might hear one of his speeches!"
Nathan grins, so right she is. "Yeah, I admit it was awesome hearing him call out to his fans."
"Like having him talks directly to us." She agrees and lands on his shoulders, taking shape as a bullfrog hoping the rain will bother her less. Nathan continues running through the rain, trying to reach his job as quickly as possible.
Nathan might not look like it, but he is special– well, his daemon at least.
Every person has a daemon; it is a manifestation of one's inner self and will take the shape of an animal closest to their human's personality. When a person is young, the daemon can take many forms, choosing one representing what the child is currently feeling, but they also display shapes out from their human imagination. People said that the more imaginative forms a child's daemon could make, the smarter this child was. The form changing is encouraged in early childhood. In contrast, a teen got encouraged to stick at whatever form they felt most comfortable with as people believed there was a better chance for their daemon to settle into that form. Still, it's mostly speculation that a daemon can settle into an entirely different form when their human reaches adulthood.
Settling, something that happens to everyone; it's when a preteen becomes an adult, shown by when their daemon settles into one permanent shape. Whatever that shape might be, it is going to reveal the young adult who they are and where they belong in the world. After Settling, the now-adult can seek out higher education and be a proud member of society.
But that's not going to happen for Nathan; he won't be able to know his place just by looking at Nalini. See, Nathan has long reached past the period where a daemon should settle into a permanent form, but that never happened to Nalini. Even at the age of nineteen; Nathan has a daemon who can continue to change shape, exactly like a child's daemon.
Because of this, people are shunning Nathan and it has made it very hard for him to live independently. When a boss of his working place discovers Nalini's quirk to shift shape, he will get fired instantly, ostracized and in worst cases; attacked.
Dell is the only one who hasn't treated him like a freak, but an equal– as much a troublemaker like Nathan now can be considered an equal. Dell hasn't said anything about Nathan's bit stained history, but Nathan knows Dell is aware of it. Most people in these parts of town know about the turf war he and his brothers are waging with other gangs. But at some point, they all have to grow up. That's why Nathan has been trying so hard not to screw up when it comes to his job at Dell. He just cannot risk losing the only place that has accepted him as who he is.
Many might say that being special is great; it makes one stand out. But standing out is fricking hard... Nathan hasn't felt normal ever since he turned seventeen. When he was unable to hide the uniqueness of his daemon. All of his school friends, when they realized he wasn't like them... they turned their backs on him. Not a single one stayed at his side...
It's easy enough for Nathan to get in contact with people. He can be quite the charmer when he wants to. No, the problem is keeping a genuine relationship with said people. Every single time when Nalini changes shape, people get weirded out, scared and sometimes even hostile. Been called names so often that Nathan has become numb to it, and he wishes it was the same when it came to friends but... Nathan does not do well if being alone. He needs to be around people, and he's not getting that. People wants him to be normal and Nathan wishes he could. It would make his life so much easier, but it's not like he can make Nalini stop changing shape; it would be like telling him to become an entirely different person.
"It was easier when Danica was around." Nalini remarks on his shoulders and Nathan nods in agreement, quietly musing to himself that he misses those days. His cousin always understood him, she is his best friend, and Nathan wishes she and his aunt soon would return from their business trip. Maybe this time, finally, see his cousin's hero in the form of her old man. Danica always spoke so highly about the man, and Nathan would like to meet this seemly cool wildlife hunter someday.
Nathan arrives at the factory he has been working for about a year now. The shop itself got the newest models of zeppelins Dell has built. The quiet country music plays through the shop, but is far too low to cover his wet footsteps.
Nalini takes the form of a terrier and shakes the water off, Nathan would've been annoyed if he hasn't been so wet that getting more on his legs really didn't matter. He does sign his daemon to be quiet before carefully opening the door leading to the workshop. Unlike the shop itself, which is embarrassingly clean and kinda empty, the workshop got metal and parts for the zeppelin everywhere. The two zeppelins under construction stand each side of the workshop, surrounded by parts that at some point will be added to them.
Nathan is certain his mother would compare the workshop as his room, but there is a difference between the two though; Dell's mess is way more organized.
The loud sound of a machine points out that this shop owner is busy welding two metal parts together. "Maybe he hasn't noticed." Nalini suggests and Nathan can only hope that Dell indeed has been so busy with his work that he hasn't noticed his assistance has been running late. Counting on that, Nathan starts sneaking over to the other zeppelin inside the workshop, remembering from yesterday that it needed some parts moved.
"Trouble getting out of bed, eh boy?" The golden beaver at Dell's feet remarks and the daemon of Dell turns to the frozen up young man, smiling like a mother who just caught her child with the hand in the cookie jar. She puts down the wires she has been braiding together, "Or do you have another excuse for being an hour late?"
Can't say the same about Naira; she must've kept an eye out after him. Nathan flinches from getting busted and Nalini turns into a moth in embarrassment but does quickly turn into a hawk right as he tries avoiding further humiliation with a cheeky remark. "Watch broke down, and you should see the rain. It's terrible!"
The beaver rolls her purple eyes, still with that smile. "If you say so." She returns to work right as her human, Dell shuts down the welder and turns to him, still with the welding goggles over his eyes. "What matters that you are here." Dell says with that southern drawl of his, giving him an air of friendliness. Nathan doubt this guy could hurt a fly, even though he sure got the muscles for it. Dell is incredibly easygoing, and Nathan has yet to see the man get angry, but with his lack of options for a job, he sure isn't planning on trying.
Dell leaves the metal frame he has been working on, gesturing for Nathan to come over. "Let's find you some dry clothing. Can't have you get a cold."
"You're not making me walk in your clothing." Nathan flat out tells him straight away. He would look twice as skinny that he already is in Dell's clothing– not to mention ridicules since he's a head higher than the Texan.
Dell turns to him, giving him a look behind those welding goggles. "Good thing your mother thought ahead then." He disappears into his office for a moment, returning with a small box filled with old clothing Nathan recognizes, some he has been searching for.
"So that's where it went." Nathan takes his favorite t-shirt he bought at a baseball game. It is worn but still has several years' lifetime of worth. He takes the rest of the clothing, then stops, realizing what his boss had just told him. His mother did this for him; she must've known that he might one day get to the job wet and cold. He's lucky having such an awesome mom.
As if reading his mind, "Be sure to thanks her when you get home, string-bean." Dell remarks and leaves the room, allowing Nathan to change. Out in the workshop, the Texan calls back to him. "When you have changed, come to me. I got a few errands for you."
And he's lucky having such an understanding boss. Nathan does not like working this place at all; he finds construction boring, always the same thing going on. But he likes Dell, although the man can be a bit dull. A trite man to an almost blissful extent.
It's like Dell knows exactly how his day— hell probably his life is going to be and seems completely okay with it. Nathan wouldn't mind some daily routine, but not to this extent Dell has with his life. If that has been him, Nathan would have gone insane, but he respects Dell enough not to try and mess with the man's boring way of life.
"Better get dressed before Naria persuades him to throw a wrench after us." Nalini remarks.
Of course, Dell is too much of a nice guy to do such a thing, but Nathan is unsure about his daemon. Naria has a surprisingly twisted sense of humor, making Nathan wonder what kind of thoughts were going inside Dell's mind for him to get such a daemon.
However, not wanting to waste any more time Nathan quicken the pace in changing from cold wet to dry and comfortable clothing. When done, he hurries over to the worktable where Dell is currently taking out a huge sheet-like bag that will get filled with gas for the zeppelin he builds. "So, what do you want me to do?" Nathan asks the Texan.
Dell doesn't even stop his work when he says. "I have some tanks I would like you to move over to the pumps."
His daemon nods towards the location of the gas tanks. "When you're done and have the energy for it, I would highly 'predicate it if you could give a letter to a client of mine."
"He doesn't trust the mailman delivering it in time." Naira remarks amused, Dell, on the other hand, isn't and scowl at the smug beaver. "That's not it, you silly girl, simply making sure he's getting a little out from this old place." He smiles knowingly at Nathan.
Did he mention that he likes Dell? This is why he can deal with working in this boring place, because he has an awesome boss. "I can do that." Nathan says and leaves to do the first task. The tanks in the storage room do not look like much. They are out of plastic and holding gas, which makes a zeppelin fly; Nathan guesses they probably won't weigh too much. He grabs the tank and pull— okay, they are a LOT heavier than he estimated! Seriously, how can mere gas weight like a barrel of water?! Nathan lets go, takes a deep breath and tries again, this time bending his knees like his oldest brother once taught him. "Alright, I can do it." And lifts it. He almost topples over by the weight. 'How can Dell make it look so freaking easy?!
Nathan has seen him carry these like they are nothing.
"Never mess with the guy who can lift these with ease, huh?" Nalini remarks from his shoulder, taking the form of a field mouse.
Nathan nods in agreement, struggling to carry the tank over to the pump that fills the huge balloon looking things that are lying around the workshop. He drops the tank as soon as he can, and already dread his task it fetching the five others. "Man, this is going to suck balls." He muses to his daemon, who nods in agreement.
Nathan notices that Dell has turned to his location and quickly he straightens up, giving the man a confident grin. No way in hell he's going to show Dell that carrying a single gas tank has him winded.
Dell gives him an encouraging nod and returns back to work. Nathan lets his posture drop as well as his confidence. A sight, "Let's just get this crap over with..." and he goes over to get the next tank.
Now knowing what he's dealing with, lifting it over to the bigger gas container was easier, still challenging but much more manageable.
After having placed the second and going for the third, Nathan wonders out loud to his daemon. "I wonder why Dell wants us to deliver that letter?"
Nalini rolls her eyes, she turns into a cat and jumps onto one of the tanks. "He does it as a sign of trust." Both turn to where the man and his daemon beaver work. "You know how important he considers his work."
"Yeah, still weird he trusts me with such a thing." Nathan muses and grabs the third tank. Of course, he is flattered by the gesture but he hasn't exactly proven himself to be the most reliable person.
Nathan does have a bit of a problem keeping to a schedule and thanks to the gang he and his older brothers made, his record isn't clean either. Neither of their lives has been easy, and people might not think getting into fights was a good idea, but hey, it was a good outlet to one's frustrations and made their district just a bit safer for others. Police might not agree; Nathan and his brothers have come to blows with the law more than once, so they got quite the record with the law enforcement. Not sure, but this history of street violence might also have been why Nathan had trouble finding a job, but it shouldn't be the case since all of his brothers could get a job fairly easily.
Again, Dell is aware of this but does not seems bothered. And once again, Nathan considers himself lucky to have gotten a workplace at this man's place.
"Bigger reason why not to screw this one up." Nalini reminds him, and he cannot agree more. Nathan might dislike working at this small factory, but he has it a lot better here than any other place. With the last tank placed at the pump and regained the sense in his arms. Nathan heads over to Dell and hears about this letter delivery the Texan wishes from him. "Something about a letter?"
"Yeup," Dell puts down his tools, and from his chest pocket, hands him this important letter, "I want you to deliver this to a client of mine." and after have shown the location to his client's house. Dell adds, "Don't lose it." this time in this rare harsh tone of his, clarifying how important this letter is.
"I won't." Nathan promises and puts the letter deep into his pocket. Nalini even turns into a mouse and crawls down the same pocket in the sign she will not allow it to fall out.
With satisfaction brimming from the man's blue eyes, Dell explains, "Now, I don't want you just to drop it inside a mailbox. This letter has to be delivered directly to my client's hands. It's the tall man with the horn owl daemon." Nathan nods and Dell shoos him out, "Get those feet moving, boy."
It's one of the few times Nathan does not mind being called boy, Dell means nothing malicious by it, in fact, the man says the word more like a nickname. Once again out on the streets, this time, it's not raining and Nathan is thankful for that, for he really does not want to change clothing one more time. He speeds through the damp streets, dodging people with ease, not hitting one single person even though he runs at full speed.
Nathan prides himself for his speed and agility; being the runt of a gang of brothers, he learned at a very early age that if he wants something, then he better be the first to it. Of course, Nathan isn't weak, he's just not a giant meat bag as some of his brothers, and he never would win a physical confrontation against such a type. His speed is his strength, and with it, Nathan can not only reach a fight first, but his speed has allowed him to avoid fights others might not. Unlike his brothers, Nathan can choose his battles and that little thing is great.
Arriving at the fancy building Dell wanted the letter delivered, Nathan at first noticed that he has ended up in the upper-class area but isn't surprised by it. He sets down to a more casual walk and not even winded from the run, quickly checks his pocket and when sure the letter is still there. Nathan walks over to the door and knocks three times, while waiting for whoever to open the door, he allows himself to scan the area. The first thing he takes notice is how embarrassingly clean everything is, like people here spend all their time cleaning.
"What else can they throw their money at?" He muses to himself, grinning at that jap at the rich people, but quickly turns his attention back to the door. The door opens and a moment later, a man in a black suit with a labrador as his daemon appears. One look and it's clear this guy looks like he has spotted something disgusting.
"Whatever you have, we aren't buying."
And right there, Nathan instantly dislikes this guy. He has not only reminded Nathan why he does not bother to strike up a chat with wealthy people; they always look down on the common people like they are not worth their time. But that this guy thinks everyone not dressed in fancy clothing is a peddler. He takes the letter, almost squeezing Nalini in the progress and angrily shows the fancy-pants the reason for being here. "I'm here to deliver this, dumb-ass."
The man sends him a glare for the name-calling but does take a look at the letter. He frowns, looking a bit confused. "Oh, so you're Mr. Conagher's delivery boy?" and the man reaches out for the letter. "I take it from here—"
But before he can take it, Nathan shoves the letter back into his pocket.
"He prefers Dell, and he specifically told me to give this directly to the client." He tells the man, getting the feeling this jerk-face is just a butler. Wouldn't surprise him since this guy's daemon is a dog. Servants and soldiers always have dogs as a daemon for some weird-ass reason. It makes him think about Dean, and the thought of him being a servant is a joke he's so going to make when getting back home.
The butler is not happy, "No way I'm letting some street-rat into—"
"Garrett, who is it?" A female voice question interrupts the butler, unbeknown saving him from a punch to the face.
The man named Garrett turns his head away from the fuming Nathan and into the house. "It's nothing miss, just a delivery boy."
"Oh, Lenard has been waiting for that." The voice replies and commands the butler, much to his dismay. "Let him in."
"Yes, miss." The butler replies dully and reluctantly steps away from the door, allowing Nathan inside, but before Nathan can get far, the man points down to his shoes. "Take those filthy things off."
Nathan sends the man a glare, his footwear might be worn, but he paid good money for them. Before he can insult the man, an idea of petty revenge strikes his mind. Nathan smirks, "Nah, I think you need a little work around here." and makes sure to really stomp the dirt under the shoes off. Butler Garret is fuming, but they both know there's nothing he can do about it as Nathan is now a guest to the master. All the butler can do is fetch the tools to clean up the mess. The dog is glaring at him all the way but seemly got enough self-control at not barring her teeth at him.
Grinning, Nathan walks into this mansion of a house, forgetting the ass butler by this place's view. This room looks like something coming out of those romance movies his mother likes to watch so much, 'Darn these people must earn by the day what my family can scrape by in our lifetime.' He remarks to himself and that thought is kinda dishearting.
He passes by an oil painting of a beautiful garden; its frame is out of oak. He whistles at the sight, and he might not be into art, but he has been around his aunt's studio long enough to know this piece of art is expensive. But other being pretty, not much of use.
"This way please."
Turning around, Nathan's eyes land on the prettiest girl he has ever laid his eyes on. She looks to be around his age, except dressed like a million in that purple dress. Her black hair braided into a bun, allowing her beautiful green eyes to stand extra out. Beside her stands her daemon, a middle-sized and snowy white dog with bright blue eyes. Okay, he is in love with this gorgeous—a sharp pain at his left-hand snaps him out from his daze and shoots a glare to his daemon; the one that bit him.
Still, in her mouse form, Nalini returns the glare. "Get a move on dumb-ass. You look like a fool."
Oh right, Nathan follows the angel deep inside the house. Down a small hallway, the angel knocks on a door and a man, probably her father appears. Nathan notices the owl on the man's shoulders; this is the guy. He takes out the letter and hands it to Dell's client.
The man takes it and reads the message. Whatever Dell wrote pleases the man. "Ah, I knew I could count on him. Could you return my answer?" He asks, catching Nathan a bit off guard.
"Eh, sure?" He replies, not seeing a reason to decline since he will be going back to the workshop anyway. Besides, Nathan doubt Dell would appreciate it if he insulted his boss's customer by refusing.
The man smiles, though not directly at him. "Wonderful, wait just a moment." And the man leaves, going back to his room to write his answer to Dell. Leaving Nathan and his daughter alone.
"So..." Nathan starts but before he can come with any good lines, his dream girl leaves; not even her daemon gives him a second glance. It's like he's not even there, much to his disappointment but it's to be expected from higher class people. He wishes he can follow but that will probably be a bad idea, he won't be able to pay if he accidentally breaks anything. So that leaves him to stand really uncomfortable while he waits for the man to write his answer.
"Hi."
Blinking in surprise from a sudden greeting from below, Nathan turns around, spotting a child around the age of five. Like his new dream girl, this young one has green eyes, her hair is honey-orange, though, but Nathan can see this girl will grow into a beautiful woman even at this age. Her daemon on her shoulder has currently taken shape as a squirrel. "Hey," he returns the greeting, quite taken aback how she succeeded in sneaking up on him.
"Are you the street-rat Garrett speaks about?" The little girl asks in the usual bluntness children got at that age.
"Um.. yeah." Nathan replies but does quickly recover from his surprise of her arrival. He spends a lot of time around smaller children; they rarely get uncomfortable around him and his unsettled daemon, "Don't listen to him though, I am no street-rat." and stealing a glance to the front door, the guy isn't there, probably somewhere else to clean. "He's just angry I made him look bad."
"Okay, I'm Clovey and this is Acario." The girl introduces herself and her daemon. Which now has taken shape as a shaky mouse. Nathan hears the mouse speaks with just as shaken voice to his human. "Y-You shouldn't talk with s-strangers."
He smiles at this. Even though Clovey came to him fearlessly, she's still nervous. And knowing how to break the ice towards nervous children, Nathan knells own so he's closer to her level. "Names Nathan, Nate for short, now you know my name, so I'm no stranger." The girl smiles and her daemon stops shaking, heh, works every time.
"You wanna play a game with me, Nate?" Clovey asks, sounding very hopeful he wants to play with her. It makes him wonder if children in the higher class aren't allowed to get out and play. If that's the case, then Nathan is glad he's from the lower class.
He wouldn't mind entertaining this girl, more so if his thoughts about her being stuck in here are true, but... Nathan glances back to the door where her father is at the moment. It does not seem like the man is coming out soon and so he might as well keep the kid and himself entertained. "Sure," he replies Clovey, adding in case her father will appear very soon. "as long it's inside this room, alright?"
"Okay, let's play hide and seek." Clovey says and instantly runs out to the room. "I will hide. You count and no peeking!"
Grinning, he covers his eyes and starts counting out loud, listing to the girl scrambling around for a good hiding spot. Nathan finishes counting and calls out. "Ready or not, here I come!" He does wait for a moment, allowing Clovey to settle in her hiding spot, and when he can't hear her, Nathan starts searching. Nalini crawls onto his shoulders and leaps off, taking a swallow shape. She scouts the room for the girl before landing on a table, nodding towards the out folded curtain. Nathan smirks but does not go over to Clovey's hiding spot right away, he will let the girl have some enjoyment first. "Now, where can she be?" He asks loudly and walks over to a table, making sure the girl can see him from behind the curtain. "Are you... here?" He looks under the table, smiling at the giggle Clovey tries but failing to hold back.
"What about here?" He checks underneath the lamp as if a child actually could hide under it.
The giggling gets louder.
Nathan walks over to the curtain, acting like he's lost and unable to hear her. "Wow, she is really good." He tells his daemon, who grins in return. "Maybe I should give up— wait, you hear it?" And he turns around and removes the curtain, cheering. "There you are!"
Clovey squeals before bursting into laugher, her daemon takes shape as a sparrow and flies chirping around Nalini who joins him in the air.
"Now you hide." Clovey says and runs over to count.
Nathan sends one glance to the door, but when Clovey's father shows no sign of coming out, he starts looking for a good hiding spot, not too good; he wants Clovey to find him. He hides behind the bookshelf with Nalini taking form as a rabbit, curling down and looks like a fluffy rock.
"Ready or not, here I come!" And a very happy Clovey runs into the room, searching for her playmate with a squirrel Acario skips around to help his human find him. From his spot, Nathan watches amused the child search for him and the moment she spots Nathan, she runs over with: "Found you!" He grins and the two daemons leap around each other in a small game of tag. "Now it's your turn to count."
Just as Nathan walks over to do the counting, Clovey's father walks out from the door. "I hope I didn't make you wait for too long." and the man hands him the reply letter. Nathan takes it, ignoring the weird looks the horned owl gives the rabbit-shaped Nalini. Hopefully, she won't tell her human, but Nathan doubts it.
"Aww, does Nate has to leave?" Clovey asks sad, already had been searching for a new hiding spot. Her father blinks, a bit confused so the girl explains. "We have been playing hide and seek. He's very bad at it."
"Nah, you're just too good." Nathan remarks grinning, making the small girl beam. But he can't stay and play with her anymore; he has a letter to deliver. "Sorry, but I have to go."
"Will I see you again?" Clovey asks hopefully.
He doubts that. He never has any reason for coming to this part of the city. But he can't tell the girl that so he just smiles and waves goodbye. She returns the wave, although with a sad look on her face.
Her father does follow him back to the door. Here the man speaks, "Thank you for entertaining my child."
"It's no problem; she's a sweet girl." Nathan replies.
The father hesitates, but a whisper from his daemon and he says almost apologetic, "I would've offered you a job as her babysitter but she already got one."
'That babysitter is not doing a very good job.' Nathan remarks to himself, but not wanting to insult the man, he merely says, "Don't worry about it." and leaves the area. Hopefully, it won't rain before he's back at the zeppelin factory.
Although that beautiful young woman clouds his thoughts and the disheartening reality that he won't ever see her again, the run back happens with relative ease.
He returns at the workshop right when the clouds decide to throw more water at them. Thankfully he escaped the water, Nathan hands Dell the reply letter.
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Dell blinks but does take the letter, remarking as he opens it. "Man's always replies no matter how many times I tell him there is no need. Recon he didn't even offer you anything to drink while you waited?"
"No, and would've been bored out of my mind if his kid hasn't dragged me into a game of hiding and seek." Nathan replies while going over to the water tank in the workshop's corner, pouring himself a glass of water.
"How was the kid?" Dell asks.
Nathan shrugs. "A little shy but nothing my charm can't handle. I'm practically her best friend now."
Dell laughs hearing this, although not surprised; Nathan does have a talent with children. He throws the fancy thanks-for-informing-him letter from his client out in the trash and asks his 'helper.' "Can you grab the right side of this balloon?" He points at the spot. "Gotta make sure there are no holes, be waste of Helium otherwise." Nathan nods and together, they get the huge zeppelin balloon folded out, which makes this tedious part of the job so much easier. Dell spots a rift in the balloon and begins to repair it.
While he put some superglue on, he mentally checks his to-do list and soon can see that the rest is not something he would make Nathan do. Boy isn't trained in using those kind of tools, so Dell can honestly not see a reason for Nathan to stay and be bored out of his mind. "That's about all the help you can do for today." He tells the young man, adding; "Remember your wet clothing and I will see you tomorrow."
"Alright, see ya Hardhat!" And with the wet clothing under his arm, Nathan runs home. Dell returns to work, and right as he put the torn part of the balloon together. Naria remarks quite amused, "I wonder how long it will take before Nathan notices he forgot his jacket." blinking, Dell checks and indeed, the jacket is still there. Hard not to laugh at this, and when done with the gluing work, Dell hangs the damp jacket so it at least will get dry during the night. With that little side task done, Dell returns back to work.