highfiving | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ 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. ]

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[he is not babying her, he's being a good friend and gentleman! also, he may have wanted an excuse for extra warmth.

but he chuckles.]

Okay, nevermind. It's actually weirder when you do that.

How was that weird? I was just saying thanks!

[ and now she's going to turn so she can look out toward the fireworks again— no more smiles for him. ]

[he's about to answer, but at that moment the fireworks began to pick up momentum, indicating the start of the big finale. and like all finales, it has all the biggest and loudest fireworks exploding, illuminating the night sky. with them being so high, it's even louder and brighter. they're not just simple plain ones, either, with some choreographed to form designs and symbols of the various tribes of Auj Oule and other patterns.

it's breathtaking, and even Alvin is more than impressed as he forgets their little conversation (or rather, his continued teasing), and just stares up, almost mesmerized. for a moment he recalls a memory of years past—of the first time he watched this same spectacle with his mother. she had been well enough then to at least sit by the balcony. it had been a rare moment, one that never happened again.

he may or may not tell Leia this later, but in truth he had been hesitant and secretly dreading coming up here. afraid that those more despairing, dark memories would come flooding back. but instead, all his mind is full of are the bright lights and the surprisingly bright presence beside him.

and it's not bad.

not bad to finally have some good memories of this city. to be reminded that an outlook can change if he lets it.

so unconsciously he gives her shoulder a small squeeze, pulling her just a little closer to him as he leans against her. he's unaware of his actions, his eyes only focused on the fireworks and the thoughts that drift through. but there's a light smile there. a genuine one.]

[ the first of the bigger fireworks actually manages to startle her a little, but once they get going, she gets used to them pretty quickly. it's nice and, like most of what she's experienced in xian du, it's all very new. it's easy to forget about what they were talking about as she looks up, though she does briefly think that she's glad they could watch it from up here, instead of from the streets, or their room.

however, when she feels him squeeze her shoulder, it takes her out of the moment. she opens her mouth to say something— whether she wants to complain or joke, she doesn't know, because her train of thought stops short when she glances at him and sees how he looks. she sees him smirk, tease, and grin all the time, sure, but the look on his face definitely seems different from that. so, instead of kicking up a fuss, she actually scoots a little closer to him.

after a moment of hesitation, she even lets her head rest against his shoulder, because the fireworks are starting to come just a little slower now, likely signaling the end of the show, and it's easier to relax when they're not going off in such quick succession. ]

[he only vaguely registers the slight weight against his shoulder, but he neither thinks much about it or even glances down at her. it's. comfortable. surprisingly so. maybe it has to do with the fireworks, which somehow always magically keep people so enthralled yet at ease at the same time. maybe it has to do with the warmth generated between the two of them. maybe it's the mood or maybe something else entirely, but for the first time since he ever stepped foot in this city, he feels relaxed. calm. content.

he almost feels a little regret when the last few fireworks die away and the sound of cheers and applause soar upward to their little lofty perch. but only a little. he then glances down at her with a grin.]

So what did you think? Cool, right?

[ when he finally breaks the silence, she lifts her head from his shoulder so that she can look up at him. she doesn't bother pulling away, though— it's warm, she's starting to feel a little sniffly again, and if she's being honest with herself, she kind of likes sitting like this. ]

Yeah, it was really something. I had pretty high expectations, and it totally blew them out of the water!

[ she mirrors his grin. ]

I guess that means you liked it, too?

I have to admit they were pretty impressive. They really outdid themselves—probably to show off to the Elympions.

Wait, so it's not always that cool?

[ way to crush her dreams. ]

Now I didn't say that.

Then how does it usually measure up?

...Normal?

[a slight shrug.]

I guess I never really paid too much attention. But the tribal crests were new. Well, at least I've never seen them before.

Well, they were definitely a nice touch! I bet people will love reading about them.

[ and even if it's not as cold as it was when they were on the highlands, a chilly breeze sweeps through the area, causing her to sneeze. she's also leaning against him a little more now. ]

[he feels that cold breeze and looks at her when she sneezes.]

Guess that's our cue to head back. The streets should be less crowded by now, too.

Aw, already? It was just one sneeze.

[ and then she sniffles a little, which isn't exactly helping her case. but. still. ]

[he hears that sniffle. and the lighting here is, well, not that great, so he's going to leeeean a little closer to see if he can tell if her face is overly flushed or not.]

You sure? I mean there's not much else to do here, anyway.

[ to her credit, she doesn't try to pull back when he leans in— she just looks a little surprised. ]

Well, yeah... but the view is nice! You don't see things like this every day.

[ also, now that he's closer, he should be able to tell that her face is redder than it was before. ]

[....hmmmmm.

well his hand probably wouldn't be as good of an indicator plus they're gloved up.]

I dunno. Your face looks kind of red. [and he wouldn't suspect her being flustered by him, so there's no teasing from him. instead he's just going to press his forehead against hers to see if he notices any unusual warmth.]

[ she's definitely noticeably warmer than usual, so the color in her face isn't because she's flustered. she also has a good idea of what he's trying to do, and she even makes a conscious effort to sit still to make it easier on him.

... her face might heat up just a little more once he presses his forehead to hers, but she doesn't pay it much mind. since she's already pretty warm, it doesn't make too much of a difference, anyway. ]

So, what's your diagnosis?

Well I don't have any real medical background, but I think you definitely have a slight fever going on.

[and pulling away, his brows furrowed slightly.]

I bet it's from all that snow and us walking around a lot. [and. he. DID. kind of dump a crap ton of snow on her earlier so that's definitely not helping. and he took her up into an even colder place. definitely feeling a bit guilty now.] Come on, let's get you back before it gets worse.

Yep, that would do it.

[ after a moment, she pulls away and moves so that she can pick up her bag. when she stands, she actually feels just a little bit off, like she's kind of unsteady, probably courtesy of the fever. ]

You're gonna have to lead the way, though. I don't really remember the way back.

[ and a sheepish smile. ]

[he notices the slight unsteady movement as he stands, putting his coat back on himself.]

Yeah, no problem. Just be careful going down those steps. [he'll of course walk ahead.]

[ in spite of how she feels, she actually manages to get down the stairs without much of a problem. she almost loses her footing at one point because she's not paying enough attention— which might not even be because she's sick, honestly— but aside from that, there aren't any incidents.

and once they reach the bottom, she finally speaks up. ]

Remind me to pack some heavier clothes next time I decide to do this. I seriously never want a repeat of this.

[ because getting sick is the worst. ]

Duly noted.

[but as they're walking, he keeps his pace slow as he stays next to her.]

How are you holding up? Is it getting worse?

I've been better, but it's nothing I can't handle!

[ though she does pull her jacket a little tighter around herself. then, after a moment: ]

I think I feel a little worse now that we're back to walking around, though. I guess it's all kinda catching up to me at once.

Well if you feel too walk, I can always carry you.

[he's half joking, in part to help lighten the mood a bit and do his usual distracting. he hopes she doesn't feel that bad, but if he had to he would.]