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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Actually, I do wonder who is covering this opening. Do you know?

Hm... let's see...

[ she thinks for a while, and: ]

I dunno for sure, actually. Why?

[a shrug.]

No real reason, just curious.

[and slowly moving up the line. he's going to cross his arms and lean back against the railing, his shoulders resting against the cool rock wall.]

We're going to be here for a while, so I'm just thinking of whatever to talk about to pass the time.

[ the rest of their time in line goes smoothly, if a little slow. as they get closer to the front of the line, the sounds coming from the slide itself get louder, which only adds to leia's nervous energy, but by the time they reach their destination, she's probably more excited than she is scared. the anticipation is definitely killing her, though.

the staff member running the ride checks their bracelets and they get their raft, which is definitely big enough for them both to comfortably fit, without any trouble. then, she turns to him. ]

So! How are we gonna we do this?

[ sitting side-by-side? or maybe she could sit behind him and hold onto him for dear life. ]

Hm...

[how about neither.]

Probably best if I sit in the back and you sit in front of me. Since I'm heavier.

[logical reasoning! to reduce chance of the raft flipping forward, keep the heavyset guy in the back to keep it balanced.

of course the real motive is just to have Leia in front screaming.]

[ wow, does he have something against teenage girls screaming in his ear. ]

Sounds like a plan.

[ and she wastes no time in settling herself into the raft, far enough forward that he'll have room behind her. then, she reaches back and pats the empty spot. ]

Hop in!

[he had to deal with Teepo and the Wyvern. close enough.

hop in he does. don't mind him as he settles in behind her, getting all snug and cozy. at least his hands will be on the side handles.]

No turning back now. Hope you're ready!

[of course the staff members are already pulling/pushing them toward the lip of the slide, with all its rushing water glory.]

[ at first, she's got her knees drawn up to her chest with her hands resting on top of them, since he's occupying the handles on the sides. then, they hit the slide, and their momentum coupled with the quick flow of the water starts carrying them. it's fast— faster than she anticipated— and her hands shoot out to hold onto the sides for a little bit of extra security. so, she ends up laying her hands over his and holding on tightly. ]

This isn't so bad!

[ she has to raise her voice to be heard over the sound of the water, but she actually sounds pretty happy. of course, they're also rapidly approaching the first big bend in the slide, so. that could change pretty quickly. ]

That's what you think for now!

[because he definitely sees that bend and after seeing that diagram...well he's just going to assume the worst. and by worst, that would be best.

the first bend shoots them out of the cliffside back into daylight, but it's a also a steep winding drop back into the cliff. at first it's pitch black, but then the sides of the smooth tunnel being to light up in a different array of colors.

it probably would be a lot prettier if they weren't going ridiculously fast.]

[ as they go around the bend, she squeezes her eyes shut and lets out what will probably be her first of many screams. she hadn't studied the diagram too closely, so she doesn't quite know what she's gotten herself into, but (in spite of her screaming) it's actually pretty thrilling.

she opens her eyes just in time to see the walls lighting up, which... well, she'll probably be able to appreciate the way it looks a lot more when they're done and she's thinking back on it. as it is, she's high on an adrenaline rush and they're going too fast for her to really enjoy the sights. however: ]

This is awesome!

[ and the last half of the word "awesome" turns into a shriek, because they're going around another steep, sharp turn. ]

[and he just laughs because that was pretty "awesome" in itself. he'll let out a few yells of his own, but they're more of adrenaline rush whoops.

as they continue their twisting descent, the raft swerves wildly all over the sides, sometimes, sliding higher up the walls. which gives him an idea.

during one of short but calmer stretches, he moves his hands so that they're over hers, gripping the handles tightly as he leans forward so he can say loudly in her ear.]

Hold on! I'm going to make it go really wild!

[because guess what he's going to be doing during the next few turns? whatever protests she might have, they'll be ignored, because he'll be "steering" the raft, shifting the weight to make it slide even more crazily along the walls as they go around turns.

which of course will also make it pick up even more speed.]

All right! Go for it!

[ and hold on she does! her grip on the sides gets tighter and she tenses up a little in anticipation, but she actually doesn't protest. in spite of the rush she's getting from all of this, there's also an underlying feeling of safety there. the slide has to be safe if so many people have ridden it before them— that's kind of a given— but it's really more that she has a feeling that alvin wouldn't let anything bad happen.

... that doesn't stop her from squealing every time the raft slides high on the walls, though.

the increase in speed means that they're making their way through the tunnel pretty quickly, so after a few more turns, they'll be approaching the opening that is the end of the ride. even before they reach it, it's a bright and obvious light at the end of the tunnel. ]

[and they shoot out of the tunnel like a rocket, the rushing water from the waterfall pounding down hard on them, but it passes quickly due to their speed. there's a moment where the raft is actually airborne, but it lands on the water with a big splash, skimming the surface. it spins around a bit, but they fortunately don't capsize. Alvin being in the back helps with that a lot.

and then it slows as it makes it way down the slower winding little river where they would disembark. but before that, Alvin is laughing as he leans back against the raft.]

Shit, that was great! [he also releases his hold and starts flexing his fingers, the bones cracking a bit.]

It was way funner than I thought it'd be!

[ and she laughs, still feeling a little giddy as she moves so that she can look back at him as they continue their trip down the river. ]

We've definitely gotta do it again sometime before we leave, okay?

[ she's basically going to be that person. you know, the one who gets right back in line the minute that they get off of a ride they like? yes. ]

[he just continues to laugh as he looks down at her.]

Sounds like a plan to me. Though now everything else we do is going to feel like nothing after this.

Maybe you can steer it even crazier next time, then. That would make it more interesting, right?

[ it had added a lot to this ride, at least. ]

Oh, make me do all the work. I see how it is.

[but it's said in good humor.

and they reach the dock where the staff will grab their raft and pull it to the side so they can get off onto the "pier." though the water is still a little rough so don't fall, Leia.]

[ she just shoots him a cheeky grin before (carefully, because she doesn't want to slip) climbing out of the raft.

and she takes a minute to straighten her ponytail out, because the wind and the waterfall made a mess of it, before she turns to him. ]

So, what's next? Snacks?

[ who has a one-track mind? not her, that's for sure. ]

[climbing out after her, just running a hand through his hair to brush it back.]

Seriously? What happened to, "Let's go on all the rides!"?

[and leading the way back to the lockers to get their things.]

[ as if on cue, her stomach does a little rumble. so, that's part of the reason. ]

Hey, I can't help it if I want a snack! Besides, we can always go on some more rides in a little while.

[...pffft.]

All right, we'll grab something. [as he goes to their locker and pulls out their things, he takes out his phone and checks the time.] It's about time for lunch, anyway.

[and handing her her bag before taking a towel to dry himself off since while they didn't get drenched, still got fairly wet thanks to that waterfall.]

Anything you really want? Maybe check the map?

I'm kinda craving something sweet.

[ she slings her bag over her shoulder and turns to look at the conveniently placed, nearby map. ]

Hm... [ "sweet" and "lunch" don't really go together, but... ] Ice cream might hit the spot.

Ice cream? [he'll now be standing behind her and looking as well.]

Is that really enough? Personally I'd go with one of those smoothie or slushie stands if you want something sweet.

[and so the clash begins.]

[ she takes one last look at the map and then turns to look at him. ]

Yeah, but those are just drinks! [ even if it does sound kind of good... decisions, decisions... ] What would we eat if we got those?

And ice cream is just a dessert.

You could have any meal with my suggestions, though most of what they offer are things like hamburgers and hotdogs. [THOSE FOODS EXIST BECAUSE I SAY SO.] There are also some noodle bowl places if you want that instead.