highfiving | (no subject)

[just a light laugh.]

All right, all right. Just trying to look out for you.

Yeah, I know. You've really got my back.

[ she lifts her head so she can grin at him before turning her focus back toward her notebook and then, after a moment, the pamphlet she got before.

hm... ]

By the way, you've been to this festival before, right? Like, a bunch of times?

[ because that's kind of what it sounds like. ]

Well...a few times, anyway. Whenever I was in the area.

[ she's going to broach this subject as carefully as she can, so her expression and tone soften a little as she responds. ]

Do you feel up to talking about it?

[he's silent for a moment. this...is actually a difficult question. he's had both good memories and bad ones about this time. obviously not bad enough to make him refuse going.

their little group did not know his true feelings about Xian Du and the hardships he had to deal with his mother. but if he were to talk to someone about it, oddly enough, Leia is the one he'd most likely open up about it. he even looks as if he's considering, but then he just gives a rueful grin and a slight shake of his head.]

Maybe another time. Wouldn't want to ruin the day be being a downer so early on.

Don't worry about it.

[ and she sets her book and the pamphlet aside for the time being.

she feels a little guilty for bringing it up, because— well, of course he wouldn't want to talk about it. she doesn't know much about his history with xian du, but the little bit that she does know isn't great. so, she's going to do what she does best, and try to offer some support and lighten things up. ]

I'm not going to force anything out of you if it's too tough to talk about it. [ not for the sake of an article, at least. she scoots to the edge of the bed and then stands. ] Why don't we do something fun, instead?

[whether he still feels bothered or not, he hides it well. instead he just watches her curiously as she stands.]

Oh? Want to head out already?

Yep! There's not much we can do if we're in here, is there?

[ aside from talking. ]

Heh, I thought you wanted to rest some more.

[he then swings off from his window perch and stands, grabbing his empty bottle and bowl to set it on the table.]

Well, you know how I am. Always full of surprises!

[ she grins and then moves to grab her coat and fold it over her arm, just in case it ends up getting colder while they're out. ]

[he'll be grabbing his coat, but that's because it's more of his style than out of necessity. he'll be leaving his sword in the room, but he'll have his guns concealed on him. can never be too careful. that and he just feels more comfortable with them on him.

after making sure that he's all set, he heads to the door.]

Ready?

[ she grabs her notepad off of the bed and then moves to meet him at the door. ]

You bet! Go ahead and lead the way.

What do you want to hit up first?

[and exiting the room, holding the door for her and waiting before closing and locking it behind them. the indoor elevator is packed, so time to use the outdoor one. scenic view!]

Just wander around in a random direction or do you have something in mind?

I'm thinking we could wander a little, unless you know about anything cool worth checking out first.

[ and now the elevator is reaching its destination. it's pretty packed, so she sticks close as she steps out. ]

[~~would you like hold hands, Leia?~~]

Hm...well it's been a couple of years since I've been here, and they've probably changed a few things for this particular event, anyway.

But since we just ate, we can skip the food stalls. Let's check by the river—they usually have pretty interesting stuff down there since a lot of the traveling merchants use it to transport their goods. You might even meet a few interesting people there.

[ ~~they should...~~ ]

All right! [ she does a quick, enthusiastic fist pump. ] Keep your eyes peeled for people who look like they'd be good to talk to.

[ and, since she knows where she's going here, she's going to attempt to lead the way. she has to carefully maneuver her way past people, but it isn't going too badly, all things considered. ]

[~~may or may not happen. circumstances depending of course~~~

he'll follow close behind, a bit amused by her enthusiasm. at least he knows that if they ever get separated, he should be able to pick her out of the crowd. it's one of his skills. but the boats are just as picked as apparently others had similar ideas.]

Man...talk about feeling like a can of sardines...how about trying over there, where it's less crowded?

[he has to half shout for her to hear him, yeesh.]

[ the closer they get to their destination, the harder it gets to make progress without almost elbowing or stepping on someone, so she's pretty quick to take his advice when she hears him.

she works her way through the crowd, making sure to stay as close as she can, and when she finally reaches a spot that isn't as densely crowded, she turns to him. ]

This is definitely the hardest I've ever had to work for a story! [ it's not a complaint, though— it's really more of a joking observation. ] I think I see something over here that I want to check out, though, so we kind of lucked out.

[ she points over her shoulder toward a stall that has a variety of traditional-looking trinkets on display, along with a few colorful accessories and pieces of clothing. there's a small crowd nearby, but it's nowhere near as bad as what they were heading toward before. ]

Do you wanna come, or would you rather wait for me here?

I think it's better if we stick together, so I'll come along. Plus there are a few stalls near it that I can check out, too.

[in case this one proves to be way too girly for his tastes.]

Remember not to spend too much!

[ a joke, of course.

and now she's going start to lead the way toward the stall. when they get there, she immediately strikes up a conversation with the vendor (because there aren't any other customers around and this is a good opportunity) while she takes a closer look at the goods that are on display. ]

[haha, very funny. he just gives her a wry, pointed look, but he is amused.

he'll follow quietly behind her, making his way through and keeping an eye on that bobbing hat of hers. when they reach the stall, he stands a little off to the side, giving her some room.

as she talks to the merchant (who is at first surprised but then gets interested in the conversation), he takes a look at the items. not too bad... definitely some traditional, Rieze Maxian stuff. he even picks up a trinket or two to take a closer look. of course it's not like HE could tell if something were fake enough—that's more of Rowen's job. though maybe it would be good practice for him as a rising businessman to be able to do so...

anyway, he'll be half listening to their conversation while also inspecting the wares.]

[ after she takes the time to explain that— in spite of her style of dressing— she's not actually an elympion, the merchant even lets her grill them a little.

at some point, when she feels like alvin isn't paying attention, she also makes a purchase, which definitely helps her score points. as a result, the conversation goes really smoothly, and after some more talking and a little bit of note-taking, she turns to him and taps him on the shoulder. ]

All right! I think I've got everything I need here. [ and she takes a quick look at whatever he's checking out. ] What about you?

[by this point he had taken his attention to the neighboring stall. mostly because that is one pretty lady and she was totally eying him. it would be a travesty if he didn't pay her a little attention, right? some casual sweet talk here, maybe work on a business (real business) deal there, oh is this really crafted through the use of earth spirit artes? Elympions really dig that thing right now you'd be a big hit if you opened a branch in either Drellin or Trigleph.

yes, he's networking. yes there may have been a side ulterior motive for her to come down here.

so it takes a few taps before Alvin notices and he glances back at her.]

Huh? Finished?

[CLEARLY he had missed what she said since she did just tell him she was finished.]

Uh, yeah. Weren't you paying attention?

[ and now she's going to put her hands on her hips and give him a look. ]

I was!

....In the beginning. For maybe half of it.