[Aus] My name isn't Sydney, it's Lucy!! [Wy intro]

[Australia]

He waved off her correction, again. Honestly why was she so picky? Sydney suited her way better then Lucy. Not that he understood how he came to that conclusion - he just kind of did. Oh well.

Her comment though made James's entire body freeze up. Almost immediately he withdrew his hand, raising his hands defensively. That was the last thing he had wanted her to think, honestly she just looked like she need a hug! And there was something about her that just made him feel protective; like a father to their child. Which was... A bit weird but he'd worry about that later.

It was only after he had floundered about for a good minute that he saw the little smirk on her face.

Oh... Oh that little-! He frowned just slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Lil ankle-biter. And here I was tryin' to be nice." He followed it up with a dramatic sigh and eye roll, if anything to let her know that he wasn't angry or anything. She'd got him good, fair and square.

Then he grinned again, before wincing as Bruce decided to remind the Australian that he was still there. "Ow! Sheesh Bruce cut it out!" His furry companion did not "cut it out", opting instead to crawl off his shoulder and down his arm. James rolled his eyes, rubbing the scratches left behind. [/color]

[Principality Of Wy]

She giggled, her first legitimate child-like laugh since....well a long time. That was the first time she'd seen someone older than her flail around like that, it was just as goofy as it was hilarious looking. She smirked. She got him good, that was for sure.

Her smirk only grew when he realized she wasn't being serious. He scolded her, but she knew he wasn't being serious either. At least he had a sense of humor. One certainly had to have one when dealing with her. And the patience of a saint.

She blinked as his koala, Bruce, climbed down his arm after scratching him a little. James didn't seem too pleased, but Bruce didn't care. He slid all the way down his arm and approached Sydney. She didn't have that much experience with animals, so she sat still, fighting back the urge to pet him. Eventually Bruce plopped his fuzzy end next to her, then leaning over to nuzzle her arm. Keeping a girly squeal deep in her throat, like hell she'd do that in front of James, she reached over to Bruce and scratched behind his ears. "Hnn, nice fellow ain'tcha?"

[Australia]

”Don’t let his cuteness fool ya,” James reached over scratching the koala being his ears with a small laugh. ”Swear to God sometimes I think he’s at least part drop-bear. Especially when he’s hungry.”

Not that Bruce would ever actually hurt anyone… Purposefully. Then again James and he had met when the koala had jumped on top of his head while James had been walking. That had scared the living day lights out of him. Ever since then they were all but inseparable – as silly as it was James wouldn’t hesitate in calling Bruce his best friend. Or at least one of them.

The koala meanwhile seemed content in the attention he was getting from both of them. Contenting to nuzzle against Sydney’s arm, eyes shut. And James was sure he heard a happy little sigh escape his friend. ”He likes you.” [/color]

[Principality Of Wy]

She grinned, and patted Bruce on the head. "O' course he likes me. I'm a-dor-a-ble!" She said the last word sarcastically, she knew the way she acted was not adorable at all, she was a brat. But that's just how she was, and she was too stubborn to change. If she ever needed to change.

She sighed. Honestly, what would she do now? "I dunno, maybe...maybe I should leave. Go somewhere else. If a dummy like ya can recognize me I dunno why no one else has." She looked at her crate, her only home. "But this....s'all I know."

She did wonder what the world was like, but she knew it wasn't small. She didn't know if she had what it takes to explore it. It was easier to stay here, to hide away. But that was no longer going to work, was it?

[Australia]

James snorted at her. Oh yeah she was adorable alright. An adorable brat. He thought with a bit of amusement. Leaning back on his hands he listened to her. He was honestly surprised no one had recognized her yet. Especially with how many posters were up.

”Maybe you’re just real good at hidin’?” He offered, giving a little shrug because really that was the only reason he could think off – or admit. Listening to her words struck a chord. He could just imagine how she was feeling. Following her gaze he looked at the crate, then at her.

Well it wasn’t like he could just leave her.

Releasing a sigh he pushed himself back to his feet, brushing his hands against his shorts before looking back at her with a grin. ”If you wanna leave I know a ship that can give you a lift! Free of charge, probably…” He paused, before rubbing the side of his nose with his thumb. ”Okay, maybe not. Can’t actually be sure of that. But I can talk to the Captain and ‘m sure he’d agree to help you out!”

When she opened her mouth he cut her off, just in case. ”And I ain’t offerin’ cause I’m a pedo or some sort of creep! I just know what if feels like to be on your own and on the streets. ‘s no fun at all.”

[Principality Of Wy]

"Heh." she chuckled, "Maybe."

She watched him sigh and stand up, studying his face as his eyes were closed. She figured he had a pretty nice face, personality wise. When she painted or sketched people, she had to be particularly quick to determine the relative personality in order to attempt to capture it in her drawings. Yep, he had the 'nice' face. And...a nose that looked like hers. And...he had her eyebrows too-!

She froze when he said he had a ship. That he was willing to lend her a ride to wherever. How was this even possible? That the one day that she was found out, the one person who recognized her at all (and was a stranger no less) would be her ticket out of here? It seemed to coincidental; too lucky. Was there something else afoot, somehow bringing these two together for an ulterior purpose? And why her, how was she special?

All of these valid questions did not cross Sydney's mind. She was a child, after all.

She opened her mouth to utter something along the lines of 'are ya sure you ain't a pedo?' before he interrupted her. "Hmpf." she snorted. "Why should I trust ya? I don't know ya at all, ya could be lyin'."

[Australia]

”Don’t gotta trust me I guess.” James shrugged, grin not faltering as he bent down, holding out his arm for Bruce to climb up. The koala just stared at the offered limb, sniffing his hand before turning to snuggle closer to Sydney. He snorted slightly, straightening back up. ”Man he really likes you Sydney. Don’t normally see him this friendly.”

It was going to be hard to get the koala back if she decided to decline his offer. Though James had a feeling she wouldn’t. Not that he was sure just how he knew that, call it an odd sixth sense. Slipping his hands into his pockets he rocked back onto his heels. ”Anyhow, I swear I’m bein’ honest. I’ll make sure The Grim’ll take you wherever you want, and you can leave whenever you want.”

He really hoped she agreed, that he wasn't wrong in his assumption. He couldn’t bear the idea of having to leave her behind. [/color]