highfiving | (no subject)

(no subject)

[if there was one thing Elympions were really adept at, it was creating highly technological constructions and living the "high life" so to speak. after the schism dropped, this only increased due to the access to additional, if currently expensive, resources. and with Rieze Maxia also being rich with resources and willing to increase the economy, coordinating to create a fun place where both citizens could enjoy was easier than expected. had a few bumps along the way, of course, including whether the location would adversely affect the neighboring towns, but after several months of planning and clearing out the monsters, a large portion of the Kijara Seafalls had been converted to something like a water park resort. using the natural formations already existing, including the many waterfalls, the company in charge of this endeavor managed to recreate the setting to include natural made water slides and of course the many variety of natural and artificial pools—casual ones to just sit and relax, larger ones to just swim around, wave pools, and even a section for some heated ones.

technology wise, it's a combination of spirit artes, spyrix, and spyrites. the use of spyrix had been as minimal as possible, but their world isn't quite there with replacing it with spyrite. however, it has been designed so that the conversion would be seamless, and it helps that the park is indeed mostly naturally made.

so during the following summer of their last adventure, Alvin had received two tickets to its opening. a gift for being a Svent. although he isn't really "part of the family" anymore, he can't exactly say he didn't like the few perks that come his way. free gifts definitely were one of them. now the problem is...would he actually go? If so, who would he ask? or should he just give them both away? but even with those questions, he was already thinking, "Leia would probably kill to have these." and well, that made his decision for him.

and so invite her he did and here they are at the Kijara Seafalls Resort. the opening ceremony had been a "splashing" hit and the place is packed with a variety of people from esteemed invited guests to those who managed to purchase tickets to every day families who won the lottery prize. and a lot of kids. a lot of kids.

and like everyone else, he's dressed in casual swimming shorts, sandals, sunglasses, and a loose unbuttoned shirt.]

Well the lines are going to be insane, I can tell you that much. So what should we try out first?

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[ naturally, leia was ecstatic when he invited her along. she had heard about the park during its construction and she had not-so-secretly been hoping that she would be able to go at some point, so it was like a dream come true to be able to visit it on its opening day. dealing with crowds and long lines wouldn't be a problem for her at all, if her enthusiasm through the opening ceremony was anything to go by. ]

Hm... I dunno. [ she says it simply, adjusting the brim of her hat as she looks around. the problem is that there's almost too much to choose from. even just in the area near them, there are a couple of smaller slides and a somewhat shallow pool, not to mention the vendors selling snacks and souvenirs. she takes a small step closer to him to avoid a run-in with a child, and then looks up at him. ] I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea to start things off by taking a dip, though!

[ because even though she's dressed appropriately and wearing a swimsuit— you know the one— it's pretty hot out. ]

[hmmmmmm......]

There are a few pools to choose from. But if you want a casual dip, how about the big main one? Everyone's probably hitting the slides, so it shouldn't be too bad. [and it's large enough to handle a large crowd, anyway.]

Sounds like a plan!

[ she whirls around, pointing in the direction that the big pool is in. or, at least, it's the direction she thinks it's probably in, since they're too far away from it for her to be able to see for herself. ]

It's this way, right?

[laughs a bit.]

Yeah it is. But watch your spinning—it can get slippery around here, you now.

[and it's to the pool!]

Aw, come on! I'll be fine. My reflexes are second to none.

[ meaning that she could probably catch herself if she slipped. which is actually sort of true, and not just her stroking her own ego. mostly.

anyway, she sticks close as they start toward the pool. the last thing they need is a repeat of xian du. ]

[does he need to hold her hand again?]

The point is to not have to need those reflexes. [a slight nudge of his elbow.]

But we'll see how good they are soon enough.

[ it probably wouldn't hurt, if she ends up getting ahead of herself. ]

Well, yeah, but they're still there in case I do!

[ and she elbows him right back. ]

What do you mean by that, though?

Place is crawling with kids who would just love picking on girls with crazy tan lines like you.

[ and that nudge turns into a playful punch to his shoulder. ]

Hey, I worked really hard on my tan! Don't be a jerk just because I look better than you.

[pfft. he jerks back a bit as an instinctive reaction, but he just takes it.]

What? Please. I'll probably have girls lining up once I get in there.

[because let's be real he is pretty hot and he knows it. just wait until he takes off the shirt.]

[ that makes her laugh a little because, seriously, did no one ever teach him about modesty? ]

If that does happen, you'd better not think about running off and ditching me, you know.

Hm... [is he pretending to check out the ladies? maybe.] Well it has been a while... And I'm sure there are plenty well to do young ladies around...

[ why is he like this— ]

Wait, you're not seriously thinking about picking up girls, are you?

[because it's fun. and it's Alvin.

but he just laughs.]

I'm just messing with you—of course I'm not. And I won't be ditching you, either. [grins.] You're the one I invited after all.

I'll be holding you to that, then!

[ and she mirrors his grin. in a way, it kind of feels nice to know that she's not going to have to worry about anything like that happening. ]

Lucky for you, I'm probably more fun to hang around than some stranger would be, anyway.

You certainly make things more entertaining, I can say that much.

[ somehow, that doesn't sound like it's necessarily a good thing, but... ]

I'm gonna take that as a compliment!

[ and look at that, they're starting to get closer to the pool. ]

[he's just going to chuckle because like he'd ever tell her whether it's a compliment or some joking insult. (mostly the former)

and man is the pool busy. not overcrowded, but still. it takes them a little while, but they find two vacant chairs to claim as their own, and that's where he sets their bag down.]

Want some sunscreen?

[ she plops herself down the minute they find the chairs, and reaches a hand out at the mention of sunscreen. ]

Yep! I don't wanna get burnt, you know.

[ even if she'd probably look hilarious if that happened. ]

[and digging it out before handing it over to her.]

Do you burn easily?

[she really would look hilarious.]

Well... I wouldn't say I burn easily, just that I seriously don't want it to happen.

[ so, she gets started on quickly and generously applying the sunscreen to everywhere she can reach, which goes well up to a point. that point being her back, of course. ]

I'm gonna need a hand with this last part, though.

I had a feeling you would.

[he moves to sit next to her and holds out his hand for the sunscreen.]

Just the back, right?

You got it.

[ and she hands it over. ]

Make sure not to skimp, all right?

[ if she ends up with a sunburn after this, he'll be getting an earful. ]

Right, right.

[said loftily as he takes the bottle and starts applying the sunscreen as naturally as if they did this kind of thing all the time. he starts with the shoulders—kind of an obvious starting point. but when he starts working his way down her right shoulder and down her back, he pauses.

it's not prominent as its healed a fair bit and it's not exactly large, but he can see the outline of a scar there. it puzzles him for a moment. when did that happen? but then it hits him like a bullet—the bullet he shot her with. instantly the cheerful din of the park fades as he stares at the mark, his fingers lightly brushing against it.

his actions are considerably different so Leia is likely to notice the change.]

[ a year ago, or maybe even just a few months ago, she probably would've been too conscious of the scar to actually ask him to do something like this. as they are now, though, the thought didn't even cross her mind— it's healed and it doesn't hurt anymore, so it's not something she makes a point of thinking about.

she does notice the change in how he's touching her, though, and it only takes her a moment to start to make the connection. of course, when she does, she feels kind of guilty. even if she's forgiven him, sometimes it seems like he has trouble forgiving himself. ]

Everything okay back there?

[ her voice is a little softer than usual, and she turns her head to look back at him. ]