For your not so patient waiting, I give thy readers. . . a little something

PERI'S POV

Leo led us belowdecks to the engine room - even though with my connection to the Argo I knew exactly where it was. The entrance was on the very last floor, and the door's sign read ENGINE ROOM. Tar was smeared on the door handle, and it made my hand black and sticky when I reached to open the door.

As soon as I swung the door open, a swell of hot steam smacked us in the face. Stepping inside the engine room, I automatically noticed the increase in temperature. I fanned myself idly as I looked about myself.

The Engine Room was a maze of interlocking and crisscrossing bronze pipes. They hung about the air at varying heights, some slithering on the floor while others spread out high on the tall ceiling. When I looked up I saw a jungle of thick ropes hanging from the rafters at all different levels like vines in a rain forest. Some intertwined themselves in bundles, forming knotted dips that reminded me of hammocks.

I couldn't resist marveling at the steampunk factor of everything around me. The pipes hissed periodically as columns of steam released form their pressurized grip. There were buttons and dials all over the place, keeping everything that was the Argo II under control.

"This," Leo said, "is where all the magic happens."

"Whoa," I breathed. "Leo. . . this is so cool!"

He beamed. "I thought you might like it."

Leo pointed to the far side of the Engine Room. "There's a hatch down there where I think most of the damage is. It's a pretty tight squeeze, so I think only two of us can fit down there at the most."

Bonnabelle towered over us, giving our short frames a once-over before speaking. "Well it's obviously gotta be you two. Don't worry, I can handle everything up here. You two can go down there and handle the big guns."

I nodded. "Alright, come on, Leo! Can we fix it?!"

"YES WE CAN!" He cheered, and we high-fived.

Bonnabelle chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Get to work."

Leo and I headed in the direction advised. I glanced over my shoulder and watched Bonnabelle before her figure disappeared in the smoky haze. I swiped the air in front of my face, trying to fan away the fog-like steam.

"Gods!" I muttered, making Leo chuckle under his breath. I elbowed him, and when he pushed me back, an all out brawl started.

The curly haired boy shot me a mischievous grin before taking off running, his outline dissipating in the smog. I chased after him to no avail, repeatedly bumping into walls and work tables in my haste. Either this Engine Room was huge, or I was running in circles. I figured it was a little bit of both.

Finally I sprinted forward and ran into a warm body.

"Leo?"

"There you are," He said, turning on me with his boyish smile. "I found the trapdoor."

I looked down at our feet, and lo and behold a metal trapdoor just as promised. Leo took the ring in his hand and wrenched the door open, revealing a seemingly bottomless dark hole.

Leo gestured towards the black void. "Ladies first?"

I rolled my eyes. "You're such a little bitch." Without a second thought I plunged into the darkness.

The inky blackness surrounded me, and in the pit it was definitely some odd degrees cooler. I couldn't even see two inches in front of me, let alone two feet.

I heard Leo's voice call down to me. "Are you dead yet?"

"Nah!" I called up. "There's no boogeyman, you can come on down, you wuss!"

"Okay, here I come!" I heard a thump, but of course could not see his form.

"Leo?" I reached out with my hands to search for him. "Leo where are you?"

"I'm right here!"

"Right where?!"

I felt something brush against my thigh, and I immediately went for it, fanning my hands out. I felt something else touch my rear and quickly spun around. I put my hands in front of me, but felt nothing. I could hear him fumbling around in the dark as well, but couldn't pinpoint his location.

Suddenly I felt a pair of strong hands grasp my breasts. "L-Leo!"

"Peri?" I heard him ask. "Is that you?"

I froze up, my whole body going rigid at his touch. I was thankful for the lack of light, for I knew my whole face was flushed. I attempted to push him off of me, but instead sent us falling to the ground.

"Leo, use your powers!" I cried desperately. "Make a fire!"

"Right!" As soon as the word left his lips, a flame appeared, illuminating the small space around us.

My eyes bugged out of my head.

I had fallen on top of Leo, straddling his waist. His free hand rested on my hips, gripping the flesh there.

I'm almost positive my already pink cheeks burned a bright, embarrassing crimson color. Leo's eyes widened, and the tips of his pointed ears turned bright red. He immediately removed his hand, yet the flame in his other burned brighter for some reason.

I stammered for something to say, but nothing coherent came out of my mouth. The only thing I could think about was the fact that our privates were practically touching. I felt a heat swelling in my chest heading southward, but I refused to acknowledge the feeling. I gulped, staring down at his shocked face.

Wordlessly I rose off of Leo, and he sat up. He scratched the back of his head nervously, obviously trying to find something to say after an incident like that.

The trapdoor suddenly felt a lot warmer.