Steampunk Coon

She hadn't managed to catch him sleeping for a while now, and he loitered in the window sill, his feet kicking lightly over thin air, where far below, a few cars and carriages trundled along down the street. A few years ago, Gale thought, looking down at the street, this height would have scared him. She'd killed that fear long ago, bless her quirky soul.

He reached into his jacket and pulled out his watch, checking it. One minute until two, she'd be here. Sure enough, in a moment or two, he heard her laugh from above. "Well now, are you going to sit there or come visit?" and a rope ladder dropped down in front of him.

Her hot air balloon was white this time, with white tassel hangings and she was dressed in a white version of her usual captain's outfit. He climbed up near the top of the ladder and grinned at her. "So, Coon, white now? I didn't think it was your color."

She reached down and grabbed his hand and pulled him aboard, catching him like it was a dance. "Maybe I felt like a change." He chuckled and looked around. "So, what surprise do you have for me this time?"

"Sorry, boy, I'm all out." She said with a laugh.

"Oh really? No surprise, nothing? Last time it was a piano."

"Well, okay, maybe I do have something."

"Oh yeah?" He turned to face her, just as she pulled a black box out of her jacket and flipped it open, offering it to him. "Marry me." she said simply.

"....WHAT??!"