Admire; [v.], to regard with wonder or surprise.
It's the look on her face when Ellie pushes open the doors that gets her. Riley watches the lights from the carousel dance across her cheeks, bright, brilliant splashes of gold and red color. It's a rickety piece of machinery, rusted and creaking, infested by all manner of wildlife. Ellie takes a step towards it, the wonder in her eyes melting down into a smile.
"Are you kidding?"
Riley doesn't hear her at first. She's been staring at Ellie for a couple minutes at the most, following her eyes and the way they rove over the carousel. She inhales sharply and closes her eyes, snapping out of her trance. There are no words for her to respond with. Riley wants to be kind; she wants this to make up for the Fireflies, to make up for the fact that she is leaving today and that this is the end of everything.
"Told ya."
Dammit.
They start off towards the carousel together, and when Ellie climbs on, Riley considers joining her. She watches Ellie perched on the metal horse, clutching the pole, and she knows that she can't bring herself to move from where she's standing. Riley hits the large button on the switchboard, and the carousel begins to move.
"Riley, come here!"
The carousel picks up speed, twirling in lazy circles. Underneath Ellie's weight, the horse groans in protests, just like the rest of the machine. The base squeaks as it rattles along the tracks, and the frame shakes, like the sounds of a monster wondering why it has been awakened.
"No, you got this. Go!"
Riley watches Ellie spin around, her eyes flitting between the lights of the carousel and the ancient vines that wrap around the ride gates and crawl towards her. Ellie is laughing and grinning, acting like a child who has just been on their first rollercoaster. Her eyes are full of wonder, and behind it, a little spark. Riley's heart aches. There has always been a little fire in Ellie's eyes.
The carousel spins around a second time, and as Ellie swings by her again, Riley lets herself smile. Ellie grins and gestures to her. This time, Riley hops on behind her, savouring what she can.