(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

[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... ]

"trusting you with it." ........../face in hands.NO I WASN'T DONE

[opportunitycosts]

Well it's either have it crumpled up in that bag and get mashed up in there, or have you wear it and give the bonus effect of keeping you warm.

Unless you don't want to wear it.

it's okay! ;u;9

[reported]

No way, I totally do!

[ and she means that genuinely, too. she even curls her fingers into the ends of it, just in case he tries to take it back. ]

You just caught me by surprise, that's all.

[opportunitycosts]

Then we can call it even.

[grins.]

So, where to next, Miss Reporter?

[reported]

[ hmm... ]

You said there might be some traditional dancing, right?

[ it's definitely later than it was when they first set out, so— ]

Why don't we look around and see if we can find anything?

[ she's also pretty sure she can hear some music in the distance. ]

[opportunitycosts]

You don't actually want to try that old thing, do you?

[a slight arch of the brow, but then he just shrugs.]

But sure, we can check it out. It'll be over by the central plaza.

[reported]

You bet I do! It wouldn't be good research if I didn't get my hands dirty.

[ or, at the very least, she wants to see it for herself, up close and personal.

she thinks for a minute, and then points in the direction of the plaza. ]

It's this way, right?

[opportunitycosts]

Yeah.

[but of course it's crowded—even more so. ...hmmmm.]

Follow me, I know a few back ways.

[of course he would.]

[reported]

Why am I not surprised?

[ because, yeah. of course. ]

Go ahead and lead the way.

[ and she's going to (attempt to) follow him closely. ]

[opportunitycosts]

And what is that supposed to mean?

[he says with mocking offense. but he's joking. and he's slowly making his way through the crowds, bumping and slightly pushing along as he does. with the dancing a few shows starting up soon, it's really no surprise that so many more people are pouring out now. it's like the city is bursting at its seams.]

[reported]

Well... you know! You seem like you know the city pretty well, that's all.

[ she would probably be able to make a better joke if it weren't for the fact that she almost just knocked into someone.

also, when should they get split up— ]

[opportunitycosts]

I might not have really lived here, but I've been through the city enough to know my way around.

[and she is probably the first one he's told that little tidbit about himself. it had been supposed to be part of the joke, at least.

though he's mostly looking ahead, in part due to having the need to keep his eyes forward just to get through. of course that means he won't see what's happening behind him...especially when a family group with a rather pushy mom barrels her way through, cutting Leia off.

the time is now!]

[reported]

[ she's about to respond when the family cuts in front of her, and she definitely isn't the type to try to cut through them, so she takes a quick step back to avoid running into them.

she loses sight of alvin in the commotion, and she can't see him when she takes a moment to look around, either, which... wouldn't be an issue if she was familiar with this part of xian du, or if she knew how to get to the plaza from here. but she doesn't.

she pushes on in spite of that, in hopes of either reaching the plaza or running into alvin again. no dice so far, but he shouldn't be too hard to spot, and xian du can't be that hard to navigate, she figures. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[he had moved on for a little bit, partly due to being jostled. but when he realizes she never responded, he glances back and—]

You've gotta be kidding me—

[for Leia to get lost here of all times? quickly he scans the crowd—at least he has height to his advantage. but there's still a lot of people and a lot of them wearing hats and scarves. he has to backtrack, making his way through, even calling out to her a few times.

he just hopes she doesn't get pushed into the wrong direction.]

[reported]

[ luckily, she's more or less headed in the right direction. it's dumb luck, and she gets turned around at one point when she has to avoid running into yet another group, but she also hears him call for her, which definitely helps. she even raises her voice to answer with one of her own. ]

Alvin!

[ she doesn't want to stop dead in the middle of a path, since there are plenty of people around, but she can at least stretch up to make herself a little taller so she can see over some of them (and make herself more visible, too). ]

[opportunitycosts]

[he's behind her, but that little bit of stretching helps.

so after a bit more shoving and not apologizing as he makes his way through, he finally manages to reach out and grab her hand.]

Finally—got you.

[man did he have to work for that.]

[reported]

[ she almost pulls away when she feels someone grab her hand, but when she whirls around and sees him, she relaxes— she might even curl her fingers around his just a little, because she's relieved and kind of happy to see him, and she really doesn't want to get separated again. ]

There you are! I totally thought I lost you.

[opportunitycosts]

Same here. What happened? I thought you were right behind me.

[and he is going to let go of her hand? nope. in fact he just subconsciously steps a little closer to her because he does not want to have to go through that again.]