(no subject)

[reported]

[ with her latest idea for an article revolving around the different ways that people from Rieze Maxia lived, it was only right that Leia would need to do some legwork before she could start writing. even if she had been born and raised there, she didn't know all of the ins and outs of every city, and besides— research was an important part of journalism.

of course, even the best reporters needed sidekicks help once in a while so, naturally, she had decided to drag Alvin along on her little adventure. he wasn't bad company these days, and she figured he would be especially useful when it came to their first stop: Xian Du.

... which brings her to where she is now, knocking on the door to his room in Kanbalar's inn. ]

Hey! Are you ready? We should probably head out soon, you know.

[ she might sound a little impatient, but there's no real bite behind her words; even if they're out here on business (sort of), she's not that uptight. ]

Comments

[reported]

Then I guess you totally missed seeing me score an awesome interview, and the part where I asked if you were done.

[opportunitycosts]

[sheepish grin.]

Yeah...I kind of did. But I made some progress on my own end?

[reported]

Oh yeah? What were you up to?

[ she actually sounds genuinely curious! ]

[opportunitycosts]

Just creating some more network connections.

You know—business talk.

[reported]

I should've known. [ she elbows him playfully. ] Can't you just take the day off from all of that?

[opportunitycosts]

What, and miss a golden opportunity like this?

[you know how he rolls.]

So how did that interview go? Get anything interesting?

[reported]

Yep! I got all kinds of good info.

[ she tucks the bag from her purchase against her side and fishes out her notepad, then holds it up for him to see. sure enough, there's a page full of notes and ideas. there's even some writing in the margins. ]

At this rate, I should only need to talk to a handful of people before I'm ready to start writing.

[opportunitycosts]

[he leans down a bit to take a closer to look and read a few lines. damn girl.]

Impressive.

[and then his eyes shift down to that bag.]

And it seems that's not the only thing you came away with.

[reported]

[ she nods, tucking away the notepad so she can hold the bag properly. ]

Wanna see what I picked up?

[opportunitycosts]

You're going to show it to me sooner or late, so yeah, go ahead.

[admittedly a bit curious as well.]

[reported]

Do you trust me enough to close your eyes?

[ since last time she asked him to do that, she threw a snowball at him. ]

[opportunitycosts]

...Well let's see. We're in a public place, not to mention a crowded one, and I doubt you'd really try to pull a crazy stunt like last time.

[he is giving her a wry look. but he let's out a small sigh and shrugs as he cross his arms.]

But yeah, I trust you. [he starts to close his eyes, but then he opens one of them.] But seriously, if you try to pull another prank like that again, it's not snowballs you'll be eating.

[reported]

No more pranks, I promise!

[ and once his eyes are closed, she pulls a scarf out of the bag and shifts up onto her toes so she can drape it over his shoulders. even if he's already wearing one. this is just a better way of handing it over, okay.

it's similar in style to the ones he typically wears, and it's a soft, gray color. ]

All right, you can open them now.

[opportunitycosts]

[there had been a slight twitch of the brow when he felt something put over his shoulder. but he's patient, and when she gives the cue, he opens his eyes and—??]

...A scarf?

[he reaches up to touch it, glancing down as he does to take a better look. definitely not what he had been expecting.]

[reported]

Well, yeah! You like that sort of thing, right?

[ she looks pretty proud of herself now. ]

[opportunitycosts]

Well...yeah. Not a bad style choice, either.

[simple, but a color that could go with a lot of things.]

Not bad material either.

[of course he's teasing now as evident by that grin.]

But thanks. You didn't have to, you know.

[reported]

I didn't have to, but I wanted to!

[ she shrugs a little, but she's smiling nonetheless. ]

I mean, you got me those gloves, and the scarf totally reminded me of you when I saw it, so I figured it would be a good idea.

[opportunitycosts]

It reminded you of me, huh? [well, the same was true about the gloves when he first saw them.

then after a moment's thought, he undoes his own scarf and resettles the gray one to be more properly fitted.]

Can't really wear two scarves at once, now can I?

[reported]

[ well, that's a pleasant surprise. she hadn't really expected that he'd wear it right away. ]

Yeah, you'd look like a weirdo if you tried. [ and she holds open the bag. ] You can toss your other one in here, if you want.

[ so he won't have to carry around a scarf for the rest of the time that they're out. ]

doo be doop

[opportunitycosts]

[he could try and twist it together, but he's not the type of person to do that. plus, it might ruin it! not to mention unnecessary thickness...]

Jee, thanks. [a wry look to her weirdo remark.]

Just for that—[and instead of folding his scarf and handing it to her, he's just going to wrap it around her neck.]

[reported]

I really hope this isn't, like, your idea of payback, or something.

[ because it's... not really unpleasant! it's warm, and it kind of smells like his cologne (which, as much as she probably makes fun of him for it, isn't something she actually minds). the fabric even feels pretty soft when she reaches up to touch it. if he's not careful, she might even try to keep it for herself— ]

[opportunitycosts]

[hey now, no keeping. she should feel honored that he even trusts her with such a valuable commodity!]

Hm, maybe I should tighten it around the neck some more....

[are those his hands gripping the tails, pushing the knot higher? yes. yes they are.]

[reported]

Come on, cut it out!

[ but she's laughing a little when she lays her hands over his and tries to push them away. ]

It fine just the way it is!

[opportunitycosts]

[just giving a very wry look before it breaks into a grin and pulling a hand away from hers, he reaches up and playfully tugs her hat down a bit before straightening and pulling away completely.]

Just don't get it dirty, all right. I'm trusting with you it.

[reported]

[ she scrambles to fix her hat right away, and then gives him a surprised look. ]

You're seriously going to let me wear it? I thought you didn't let people do things like that.

[ not that she's really complaining... ]