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Em’s wave became even more enthusiastic at Ari, the paper crane inevitably tumbling out of her hand. Before she could even start to complain, Jules quickly snatched it from the air and returned it to her rather shocked-looking daughter. Jules sometimes felt like there was a special “mom-instinct” that kicked in at such moments, enabling physical feats she’d normally fall over herself attempting to do by herself.

“Yeah, miraculously,” she laughed. “Thankfully she hasn’t tried to give it a bath or anything like that, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.”

She waved away Ari’s thanks, not wanting to take any credit. Ari had come up with the idea all by herself as a way of entertaining Em, and Jules was sure it could have come to her naturally as a show idea eventually. Still, she didn’t protest too hard, not wanting to offend the cheerful street performer.

“She really did! Her daughter was the little one beside Em. So cute.”

Em shifted around in her arms – a dangerous mixture of tired and bored. She wasn’t interested in grown-up discussions, especially when they were discussing the cuteness of another child. Jules shushed and patted her gently, casting Ari an apologetic look. What can you do?

“I sure hope it’s not the last time, you fit in so well with all the weirdos in this city,” she teased. “And sure, we can trade numbers, I’d love that! My own personal tour guide, how fancy.” Jules dove into her bag for her phone, laughing at Ari’s praise of plane seats. A good seat depended on the right airline – Jules had definitely had her fair share of leg-room struggles, and she was by no means tall.

She still hadn’t managed to find her phone, but luckily Ari was writing her number down for her. She accepted it cheerily, keeping it out of reach of Em’s grabby hands in case the child decided to eat it before Jules could add Ari as a contact. Not only would Ari be great to see again as a friend (and potential babysitter) but she could make for a great story.

Em was tiring now, however, so Jules was going to have to save that suggestion for another day. “I’ll see you around, Ari,” she smiled. “And I’ll take you up on that tour offer some time!”

@blackbirdfly | 391 words

LAIKA OF GS!

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|| Status
Alright, exit

|| Tags
@jules

The impending doom heralded by Em's shifting naturally compelled Ari to offer the kid another gift--maybe something more destruction-proof this time? Visualizing all the items inside her duffel bag (a compilation of basically anything picked up from the streets, really), Ari didn't manage to come up with a single solution. Shoot. Instead she decided a flock of paper cranes would do, but illusions could only get so far, right? Maybe the destruction-proof gift would have to wait for another time.

She couldn't help but chuckle at Jules calling her a weirdo--it wasn't the first time she'd been called that, but it was probably the first time it didn't imply any negative connotation. "Hey, who knows? I might permanently go back here if San Francisco doesn't satisfy my weirdo quota!" It wasn't a promise, but it was possible. Squinting a bit in wonderment, the illusionist tried to picture herself as a tour guide. "I've never been a tour guide before--would most likely get you guys lost, which is either fun or stressful."

Bad. Bad advertising.

With her phone number provided, Ari gave one last lopsided smile at mother and child. "May we meet again, yeah?" she replied, slowly stepping backwards with her duffel bag on her shoulders. She was going directly to the airport afterwards. "I swear, if I become your tour guide, I'll try to get you guys lost in a fun way."

And with a final wave, the illusionist turned around and eventually grabbed a taxi, leaving the same way she arrived: with a lopsided smile on her face.