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[ 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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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.]

[ well, she can't feel too bad, because that manages to make her laugh. ]

Yeah, right. You wouldn't seriously do something like that, would you?

Of course. Why wouldn't I?

[oh wait—]

Then again, I wouldn't want your snot all over my coat.

I wouldn't get snot on your coat!

[ she swats at his shoulder lightly, but she doesn't have it in her to get much angrier than that. ]

And here I thought you were offering to do something really nice for once.

[a light chuckle.]

The offer stands, you know.

[ hm... ]

Well... if you promise you won't drop me or something, I might have to take you up on it, then.

[ even if she's also not completely convinced this isn't a joke. ]

a slight look.]

You really think I would do that to a sick person?

[not saying he wouldn't do it otherwise, though.]

Hey, I never said you'd do it on purpose! Accidents can happen, too.

[ because if he's going to say things like that, she can probably trust him that much. ]

Well don't worry, I won't let you fall.

[he stops then to look at her.]

But you said you might need it, right? [they're back out on the streets so might as well.] Want the special princess treatment or piggyback?

[ she actually has to stop and consider that. the princess treatment starts to seem embarrassing the longer she thinks about it, though, so it doesn't take long for her to make her decision. ]

Let's go with piggyback. It might be kind of weird, otherwise.

[the princess carry had been a joke so he's not surprised she opted the more practical one.]

All right then. [and moving to be in front of her and crouching down a bit.] Hop on.

[ it takes her a second, but she does. she even loops her arms loosely around his neck for a little bit of extra stability.

then, once she's all settled: ]

I'm not too heavy for you or anything, right?

[he hooks his arms around her legs, and as he begins to straighten—]

Oh man, I think I'm going to break a bone here.

[except then he glances back and gives her a devious grin before he straightens up.]

Nah, you're fine. Though a little heavier than I expected.

[ if it weren't for that last part, she would probably be kind of hurt by that. as it is, though, she just pouts a little as she leans to rest her chin on his shoulder. ]

Come on, can't you just say something that's, I dunno, encouraging? Like, "no way, Leia, you're seriously light," or something?

I thought I wasn't supposed to lie anymore.

[ ... okay, he's kind of got her there. but. ]

That doesn't mean you have a free pass to be a jerk. Especially not when I'm sick and you volunteered to do this on your own.

[laughs.]

I'm kidding, you know. Besides, wouldn't you find it weirder if I said such sweet words to you?

I dunno about it being weirder, but I might start to think you were up to something if you suddenly got all suave on me.

[ she laughs, but it's lacking a little bit of her usual exuberance. ]

See? I can't win. [but he just grins back at her as he continues the slow walk back to the inn. he tries to keep his pace even so that she's not disturbed too much.

the streets are much less crowded now. most have either returned home for their dinners or out at various restaurants. only a few linger to visit stalls that haven't closed up shop for the night. it's quieter, any chatter and music now contained in buildings, but there are still plenty of lights.]

So did you have fun?

Yeah, it was really great.

[ it might not have been worth getting sick, but she got her scoop and she had fun, so it more or less panned out. the piggyback ride isn't so bad, either— he's not jostling her around much, so she even lets her eyes fall shut before she continues: ]

What about you? Tagging along with me wasn't too boring for you, was it?

You kidding? It's probably the most fun I've had in a while.

[which is true. dealing with business tycoons and people still going through cultural differences can be a real pain, so he really always did enjoy whenever he could just get out and take a break. normally that had been with Leia.]

Besides, this is you we're talking about. Boring is usually the last thing that happens, if ever.

I guess I am pretty exciting, huh?

[ it does make her happy to hear that, though. alvin is probably the person she spends the most of her free time with these days, and she almost always has fun when they hang out; it's good to know that she can return the favor. ]

Anyway, if you had that much fun, maybe we could try to come here again next year. It could be like a tradition.

[...hm. just two years ago, or even a year ago he wouldn't have imagined something like that. he definitely wouldn't have gone to the festival on his own.

so after a moment, he finally nods.]

Guess it wouldn't be so bad to start some new ones.

[ that gets her to crack open her eyes, so she can look over at him. or look at him as best as she can from her current position, at least. ]

So, does that mean you've already got some traditions of your own?

Hm...wouldn't really call them traditions.

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feel too weak to walk grrrr

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