Piston Peak Chronicles: Diamond in the Rough

“STUNT CONTEST!”

Dynamite rolled her eyes as she saw the boys go off into one of their crazy ways of entertaining themselves when camping out to keep a wild fire contained.

Pinecone giggled, watching them do jumps off logs and loosely put together ramps.

“Oh come on, Dynamite. They’re always fun to watch.”

“At base it is, not near a smoldering fire.”

“Not like they’re slacking. They’re pretty good about helping with the kindling and the fire is almost out.”

“True. Still, I kind of wish they’d take this job a little more seriously.”

Pinecone giggled, giving a questioning look. “Says the one giving Cabbie sassy remarks when jumping out of his airplane shell.”

“... Touche.”

The two lone female Smokejumpers turned their attention back to the boys. Drip was currently doing a handstand on one of the log piles they had made.

“Hey, Ladies! You seeing this?” he asked.

Dynamite nodded. “Yes, very impressive Drip. Not like we haven’t seen this before.”

Pinecone giggled. “You look good Drip. I think that pile looks higher than the last one.”

Drip grinned. “Yep! King of the Log-”

“SABOTAGE!”

Avalanche charged over, knocking the base logs away. Drip’s eyes shrunk and got a panicked grin on his face.

“Oh Chevy-”

CRASH!

Dynamite tried to hold back a laugh while Pinecone brought a hand to her mouth in shock.

Drip was under a bunch of the logs, a dazed look on his face.

“I’m gonna need bigger logs.”

Avalanche laughed. “Got ya!”

Drip shook his head, giving a slight glare at Avalanche before chucking a piece of wood at him.

“OW!”

“Serves ya right.”

Pinecone walked over, getting the logs off Drip. “You okay?” she asked, kneeling down, offering a hand.

Drip gave a sheepish look, taking the hand and standing up with her. “Y-Yeah. Nothing I ain’t used to.”

“Well, one thing is for sure. No more doing handstands on log piles. Understood?” Dynamite asked, putting her hands on her hips.

“Yes, Dynamite.” Drip answered, hanging his head a little.

Pinecone put a hand on his shoulder. “How about you go get some more kindling wood for the fire?”

“Okay… Oh! Maybe I’ll see those spirit dragon horses!”

Drip immediately took off, Avalanche following right behind him. “HORSE DRAGONS!”

Dynamite shook her head. “I really don’t wanna know what goes through their heads sometimes.”

“We’re probably better off never knowing.”

Drip and Avalanche hurried out, Blackout joining them not too long after in the wood harvest.

“Thanks for sabotaging my stunt… again. I was this close to impressing Pinecone.” Drip said irritably as he picked up some wood.

“I don’t think that’s working out either way since you’ve done it plenty of times. I think.” Blackout commented as he cut some wood with his saw.

“OVER DONE!” Avalanche shouted.

Drip rolled his eyes. “Well, then what am I supposed to do? You know me. Stuntman extraordinaire!”

Blackout cocked an eyebrow. “What does that make us, chopped liver?”

“No, you guys are awesome too. We’re a team after all.”

“DARN RIGHT!”

“As for the answer for your question, why not something a little more laid back? You know Pinecone, she’s more of the quiet type. Opposite of you basically. Well, you and Avalanche combined.”

“HEY!”

“True. I just don’t know what she’d like.”

“Why not ask her?”

Drip gave a stare. “What? NO!”

“Why not?”

“W-Well…”

Blackout grinned. “Oh. Drip, is someone a bit shy?”

“NO! I am fearless!”

“Then this shouldn't be an issue.”

“This is different! Stunts, I’ll take any on, but… this kind of thing…”

“You’re scared.”

Drip’s face turned red. “No!”

“Ah denial, it’s a wonderful thing.”

“Oh be quiet. What do you know about girls?”

“Know that it’s best to not anger them.” He shuddered a little. “Nothing says fury like a woman’s scorn or rather Dynamite’s scorn.”

“Mercy on the souls that get the punishment.”

“Yeah. I dunno, just try something simple then since you’re so scared to ask her anything.”

“Not scared!”

“Denial.”

“STUBBORNESS!”

Drip rolled his eyes, picking up a load of wood. “We got enough wood. Let’s head back.”

The other two nodded, picking up their loads and heading back to where Pinecone and Dynamite were.

On the way there, Drip looked around, trying to think of ideas. He didn’t really have much to work with since the areas they camped out were barren due to the fire.

Ugh… Simple… Simple… I don’t do simple.

The firefighter looked down along the ground, something shiny caught his eye.

Huh?

He looked around quickly before picking up the object, dusting it off. It was a rosey pink crystal that was cloudy in some areas instead of clear. Whoa. This is cool. Hey, maybe I can give this to her.

Drip grinned before pocketing the stone and picking up the pace.

Well, it’s not simple!

When they got back to the camp area, Dynamite and Pinecone were tending to the fire borders. The boys immediately dropped their logs, joining the girls in tending to the fire. After a bit they went back to their resting spot.

“Anyone up for marshmallows?” Blackout asked. “I brought some with me and well, we have a fire we can use this time.”

“Count me in.” Dynamite answered.

“YES!”

“Would love some.”

Drip nodded, his attention more focused on the stone in his pocket.

Blackout went out to get some sticks with Avalanche while Dynamite did one last check on the border.

Okay, now’s my chance.

Drip walked over to Pinecone, holding the stone behind his back.

“Hey, Pinecone?” he started.

She looked up. “Yes?”

“I… I found something that I thought you might like while I was on my way back from gathering wood.” He presented the stone to her. “It’s really pretty and um… y-yeah.”

Pinecone smiled, taking the stone in her hand. “It’s beautiful, Drip. Thank you.”

Drip smiled. “Y-You’re welcome. Just thought it would be good to give something pretty to someone just as pretty- I uh… I mean… Uh…”

Pinecone giggled. “You’re very kind, Drip.”

Drip’s smile turned into a sheepish one. “Ehehe…”

“Hey, guys! Marshmallows are ready to be roasted!” Blackout shouted, running in with some sticks, Avalanche right behind him.

“Be right there.” Drip answered. He looked back to Pinecone. “Shall we?”

Pinecone nodded. “Yes.”

She pocketed the stone and walked off to join the others. Drip followed after her, sighing happily to himself.

It’s a start.