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What he really needed was either a hay wagon, or maybe one of those carts from bad films about China that guys pulled around. He could offer rides to people around the park, the more piled on, the better. It had been a gift from one of his mother's co-workers that played chef at Renaissance fairs during the summer, but the limitations of weights it could take was the height of the central peg to put them on. He was pretty sure one or two pretty things could have found someplace to hold on and stand on the jerry-rigged weight stand on wheels. A rider, though they'd really need a cushion to put on or against the stack of weights, would add at least another hundred pounds.

And really, it'd be nice to have someone to talk with. Summer break meant no school, so he hadn't had a chance to make any new friends. He hadn't been able to meet any of the faculty, or talk to captains of sports teams. There was no one to work with, joke with, or even just find a soda machine with.

So it was him...his weights...and lengthy trails through the blessedly large amount of park lands that Destiny City had put aside.

A ....girl. A very small girl. No, an extra small girl. Björn blinked a moment, losing some momentum in his pull as he slowed to a walk. "I'm practicing for Truck Pulling. There really isn't enough weight, though. This is nothing like pulling a truck. But I have been a little lazy while we moved down here, so I have to work up to it."

"What about yourself? You do not look dressed for jogging or training for sports....and you do not have a dog to walk. Just out to enjoy the evening and the park?"

"It is a very popular event. Different sizes and numbers of trucks, cars, wagons, or anything on wheels can be used. It's a good opportunity for sponsors or advertising space too...like a beer wagon or 18-wheeler. A harness like this one is attached and you pull with the legs and hips while a rope is in front. You use the front rope to pull with the arms and back."

"Björn. Björn Guildson." He offered a hand out to shake hers if she was willing, even if it would be a bit like shaking the hand of a doll.

Work....
So...
She had to be at least 16. It was 16 that you could get a permit? Maybe 14? He didn't know. But it meant she was at least a teenager. Not too far off himself. Well!

How did she get so small?

"No car?"

"Ah..I don't think I could keep my feet in those. I'll stick to walking," He laughed. "Or maybe running. I guess I couldn't have you ride then, if you don't like sitting. But maybe you wouldn't add much weight anyway. Are you safe getting home? I could walk with you if not. "

It didn't occur to him that a girl who just met a stranger in the park would probably not want to lead them straight to their door. This was no longer the 1890's by far.

"I guess if you work, you have been in Destiny City a while? Do you go to school here? I just moved here, enrolling in..Hillworth. It has a long name. I don't remember it."

He practically barked a laugh at her spiritedly playing along. For reward, he picked up pace to a trot, shifting attention back and forth from keeping an eye on the park path to stay on the paved way and looking back to talk over his shoulder.

"Oh no, far from any university. A faster ride, ja? They are more exciting that way. "

So a senior, and still so small. He could keep her as a poppet, or a dove in a hat, pull her out during acts as though he were a magician. "Congratulations, then. Only one more year and you are free to really go after your goals. "

"Is Meadowview nice? They do not feed you enough, surely. You don't weigh a thing."

It was always good to compliment girls. Though really, it wasn't a lie.

He took some corners fast, speeding up from trot to more of an loping half-run, half-jog. It made it harder to speak, since breath came in great bellows of lungs and ribs, words interspersed between inhaling and exhaling. Usually they just rode on the exhales.

"So...you...have job...you said? It is a good....start, even if....you're figuring out your goals. I do not have a job. But I ...work sometimes. Not at a place, though. Destiny City looks very…large.”

He looked back over his shoulder again, “Where would you suggest is good for relaxing? Or food.”
Food was really the more important. After a such a run, he’d be wanting something large on a plate and even larger in a cup. “Someplace with….meals of a size for me. Though maybe you can eat just as much. Sonya Thomas is only 98lbs. She is very famous for eating. “

He liked the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest held every July 4th, even more than watching fireworks.

"I put on performances. I'm...well..I guess not professional yet, since I still attend normal school instead of having a private tutor. But I'm a Strongman. I do try to compete in the amateur competitions, as well as local things like community carnivals and Highland Games. The Scottish Games Association requires everyone to wear a kilt to compete, though. "
Which reminded him, he'd have to get a new one. His old one he'd outgrown soundly over the last six months, so it looked more like a school girl's uniform skirt than a kilt.

"This is just training. I have to train a lot to keep in shape, otherwise I won't be strong or agile enough. "

"Have you heard of the World's Strongest Man Competition? The qualifiers and the finals are on the TV every year."

She hadn't specified what sort of food the diner served, so it made it hard to consider as an option. Besides, if she worked there, maybe she didn't want to spend any extra time there. Or maybe she didn't say because the food was bad? She would know better than he. Better to take her actual suggestion. "Chinese then. Have you eaten? I'll buy. Company would be nice, and I doubt I would find anyone so interesting."

She was, really. Small, bold and unafraid, with bright green eyes that just seemed alive with curiosity. She must know many things, even if she didn't offer it all in a deluge like some scholar-nerd might. He wasn't sure where she fit in his idea of things, but after sticking around so long and so pleasantly, she was worth getting to know better.

Well, it could be comfortable with the right underwear. He couldn't speak to the 'traditional' sense of wearing one. But that all seemed a little to private for a first meeting. Talk of underwear and its wearing didn't seem one to have with women, anyway. "Excellent!"

How exciting. He hadn't expected her to accept. It was late, and he was intimidating to many. But if you weren't supposed to talk to strangers, then how could anyone ever become a friend? It would be a public space as well, so maybe she could feel safe.

Not that he'd dream of hurting anyone, but it might be the case for less scrupulous guys. Guys like the ones who went to Hillworth? He didn't know just yet. He let the thought drift, taking a side path that moved to a more main sidewalk through the park, "It will get a bit bumpy, so I will just jog. This cart can be parked in a side space, or even a normal parking space. It is really too heavy for most people, and it's not precious. I don't think someone would try to take it, if they even figure what it is for. If they kick it over, it is good practice for me to pick up the weights."

"Just let me know what turns to make?"