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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[ 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.

Then what are they? Don't hold out on me now.

[haha...]

Just some routines I picked up over the year. Nothing that special. [small pause.] Though there is one that I've been meaning to share with you.

Oh yeah?

[ she's starting to sound curious now, watch out— ]

What is it?

[a light grin.]

I'll tell you later.

Why can't you tell me now?

[ ... this is going to drive her nuts.

but he's in luck if he wants to keep dodging her questions, because the inn is in sight now. ]

Because you're a sick patient. [and it would actually kind of ruin the mood, but he won't say that.]

Now you wanna hope off or want me to carry you inside?

[ she gives him a look as best as she can, being on his back and all, and then loosens her hold on him. ]

You can go ahead and let me down. I feel good enough to walk the rest of the way by myself.

Hm...now I kind of do want to carry you in.

[definitely a mischievous tone in his voice, especially since he's still walking toward the inn and not stopping.]

I thought I was super heavy?

[ there's a note of suspicion in her voice and she moves so that she's gripping his shoulders instead of keeping her arms looped around his neck, but she's not going to put up too much of a fight over this yet— not only does she not want to cause any problems for the inn's staff (she's been in their shoes, after all), but. being carried is also kind of nice, in a way. ]