Re: Axel: Eli & Mao
Victory! For a moment, Mao’s grin was bright and brilliant and genuine. “Okay!” The sly impishness was quick to return, however, the boy looked quite pleased with himself for getting the stranger to agree to skate with him. A cat who got the canary. “I’m a real good teacher, you’ll see!”
“Cross my heart and hope to die, I won’t run your fingers over.” Still grinning, Mao snatched up his boots. “Don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right back. Gotta put these away.” With that, he was off like a rocket, weaving through the crowd with smooth agility, zipping across the rugged area surrounding the rink. Nothing seemed to be an obstacle. He was a seasoned skater indeed. The boots were shoved into one of the little lockers that lined the walls, and then Mao was back in a flash.
“Right, so-- You go get some skates, and then I’ll bestow upon you my expertise, okay?” Mao had come to the rink with an intention to do some pickpocketing, but now that he found someone to entertain himself with he cancelled his original plans. Money could be found any old where any old time, but people willing to put themselves at his mercy were rare.
“I’m Mao, by the way,” he announced before the stranger left for the rental booth. A hand shot out, an offer to shake so they could introduce themselves all proper like.