Open Doors. THREE
"Everything seems functional Hans." Alek looked back to Bauer, sitting in the back pilot's seat in the engine. He gave a thumbs up, the thrashing gust from the propellers too loud for a response. Alek nodded. He'd lost himself almost while piloting, enjoying the rumble of power in his hands. This was his joy, even if he was controlling for a Darwinist airship. Machines were machines, they made Alek calm. He was also getting some much needed air from his little room below in the gondolas.
"Sir, if you wish, you can give me the controls." Bauer spoke close to Alek's ear, despite it being covered by his hlemat for wind protection. The new windshield made controlling the engine more bearable, but it was still frostbite causing. "It's alright, I have it under control." That was a lie. Alek's muscles began to sore from handling the strauters for more then 5 hours, but he shrugged it off. As long as he was outside, and mechaniks around him, Alek could bear it a little longer. Bauer must have believed him, because the man remained quite for a few more hours while Alek controlled the engine."Oi, everything alright here?" Alek looked up and smiled at the sandy haired boy with the glowlamp from above. He nodded, giving his own thumbs up. "Fine Officer Sharp." Teased Alek, knowing Dylan would fluster. Alek was still knew to friendship, but he wasn't a dummkopf when it came to playful banters.
Like he predicted, Dylan rolled his eyes and walked away on the topside of the Leviathan. Alek knew Dylan preferred traveling by ratlines, but he was to supervise, not play. Back to work, Alek concentrated on the struaters, seeing the control patch change to a soft blue. Alek pulled back on the struaters, lowing the power of the propeller. The turbine from the propeller winded down, the ice blast of air no longer shooting at Alek and Bauer. "Hans, did you have friends as a child?" Alek held his grip on the controls, but turned his head back to the man. The wind was no longer loud, so Alek knew he didn't need to shout at the man. Hopefully Dylan also couldn't hear. Bauer was taken by the question, but let out a light laugh. "A few Sir, my best friend Ludvig was a fine funny man, married early and I never head from him since I left to serve in the guard." Alek swallowed, was that suppose to answer his question? Then he thought, it did answer. "How was your friendship with him though?" Alek decided to make it more clear.
"Fine, we trusted one another and played many games. Why Sir? It seems you and are fair enough friends." Alek took in Bauer's answer. He trusted Dylan very much, he's told him practically everything. His parents, who he was and even the letter from the Pope. Everything seemed natural with Dylan, and funny in a scene. "I suppose, but I'm still new to this." Alek was sure Dylan and his friendship was fine, but a few pointers never hurt anyone. Bauer patted Alek's shoulder. "Sir I promise you, just do what feels right and you will be fine." Alek smiled went back to the controls. He just had to relax and things would go well. It seemed two more hours had past, or more, when Dylan returned on his rounds. "Alright Alek, Bauer, switch out time." Dylan's lamp had dimmed from the gray of the rising sun. Alek sighed, time to sit back in his room. "We'll be up soon." He replied back, but Dylan wasn't leaving.
"Sorry Alek, but I have to take you back to your room." Dylan's voiced seemed upset. He knows I don't like being there. Alek laughed to himself. Perhaps his friendship was better then fine. "I'll man the controls till Master Klopp returns Sir." Bauer's hand patted Alek's shoulder again. Time to go. Alek released the straps of his pilot's seat and grabbed onto the ratline, climbing till Dylan reached out a hand and put him topside. "Ready to get warm?" Laughed the boy, rubbing his arms to keep warm. Now that he wasn't focused on a machine, the early fall season came to Alek's skin. He felt goosebumps under his wind resistant jacket. Alek smiled. "A hot cup of tea sounds good about now."