highfiving | (no subject)

Yep! I tracked down some people and asked them about the local traditions and what it's like to live here, and I even picked up some supplies for the road.

[ she whips out her notebook, tagging along behind him as she reviews whatever is written in there. ]

You don't need to do anything before we head out, right?

Look at you being all productive. [grins.] But nah, I'm good. I'm mostly here to be your "guide," right?

Aw, come on, you're more than just a guide. You're more like... a partner in crime, or something!

[ except. hopefully without the crime. ]

[going to make a minor correction that Alvin is wearing a business style trench coat that's different from his old one but you know trench. because there is no logical reason why they WOULDN'T be wearing warming clothing 8U]

A partner in crime, huh? [chuckles.] Not sure if that's any better.

[ then let's say leia is still going with a shorts/long socks combo, but that she's wearing a more weather-appropriate coat. she would probably freeze in just a blazer, anyway. ]

I meant it in a good way! You should know that by now.

[ and she crosses the lobby so she can hand in her own set of keys. ]

[he probably warned her that she's going to catch a cold wearing only that, too, haha.]

I don't know...with my background and your tendency to steal from monsters, that could hit a lot closer to home. [after turning in his keys, he then turns and looks at her.]

Then again, we'd probably make a formidable team on that, too.

[and walking out so they can start on their trek south to Xian Du.]

Yeah, well, you probably don't have it in you to get up to things like that anymore, right?

[ or at least, that's how she sees it.

and she follows, easily falling into step beside him. ]

You're a good guy now.

Alas, that is true. [mock despair.] I am but a humble businessman, slaving away for as much gald as I possibly can.

[but then there's a light laugh. no, what she says is true. he can joke about it, but he definitely is on the straight and narrow. and lies and tricks he does these days are salespuffing and getting that sales advantage. that, too, can be a bit of a fine line to walk, but he's pretty much got the hang of it.

but that amusement dampens slightly.]

Though it's probably still too early to call me a "good guy." I know I still have a ways to go.

[ his dramatics make her laugh, but it's short-lived because that... got a little more serious than she was hoping. ]

You've still come a long way. [ she sounds calmer and more sincere than before, because she really means what she's saying— he may not be a completely new person, but she can still see the change. so, she elbows him gently, trying to lighten things up. ] I think it's okay to pat yourself on the back every once in a while.

[a small wry grin. he probably should be more accepting, but after everything he did...

but he elbows her back, the grin widening a bit more to something more like himself.]

Careful. I might take you up on that and then you'll regret hearing me saying how wonderful and great I am—which I am in some ways.

[the fact that they can be like this, especially what happened between them, is proof enough. even he knows that.]

Hey, I said it's okay to do it every once in a while, not all the time!

[ but she's laughing again all the same. honestly, she would probably prefer listening to him build himself up to putting himself down, anyway. ]

Don't try to blame me if you go way overboard with it.

[just another laugh as they head out and into the cold.

....really cold. it's the beginning of Lasylph, which is when the cold season really hits hard. and in Kanbalar, that's even worse. he reaches up and pulls the collar of his coat closer as a harsh wind blasts past.]

I can't believe how people could live up here. Xian Du could get chilly, but never this bad. [since Kanablar has actual snow.

he's going to glance at her.] I don't know how you manage with only what you have.

It's not that bad.

[ okay, no, it actually is.

she already kind of wants to kick herself for not wearing something warmer, but she makes due with what she has instead of complaining; she pulls her coat tighter around herself and then stuffs her hands into the pockets. it's a little inconvenient, and if a monster gets the jump on them she won't be able to get her staff as quickly as she might like, but it's definitely better than her fingers freezing off. ]

It'll probably start to feel refreshing once we get used to it!

Too bad you don't know any fire spirit artes. [because that would be really useful.] Didn't Gaius say something about walking through this place in shorts or something? [and enjoying ice cream.] That man is crazy.

[like seriously no wonder the guy is king. and like. invincible.]

I dunno how he managed that.

[ because even if she's not really one to talk, the thought of it makes her shiver and shove her hands deeper into her pockets. maybe she should've invited rowen along, too, for his artes and his tea... ]

It shouldn't be too long of a trip, though, right?

[ in other words, please reassure her. ]

[Leia, the Highlands are long with lots of snow. and he can't lie. so...]

Well I'm sure if we run through it... [a teasing grin as he leans closer to her.]

But if you ever need a quick warm cuddle, I'll be more than happy to oblige.

[joking of course. but in all seriousness, if she did need additional warmth he'd do what he could.]

Oh, cut it out!

[ she's not about to expose her hands to the cold for long enough to swat at him, so she just kind of. bumps her shoulder against his instead. ]

As if you'd be up for something like that, anyway.

Oh I don't know about that. You're kind of the right height for me to just...slump myself over your head like this.

[and just kind of stepping behind her, arms flopping over her shoulders with his chest firmly resting atop her hat. what makes this not some flirty, teasing, hug from behind is the fact that his arms are just hanging loosely and he's pretty much leaning a lot of his weight down against her. this it looks more like he's slumping over her in a half-bullying way. which is what he's doing.]

[ she immediately scrunches her face up in displeasure (because even if this is kind of warm, he's also heavy), but otherwise stays relatively still. she even lays her hands over his arms, but it's not because she's accepting his bullying. instead— ]

You know, I could probably flip you over right now, if I wanted to.

[ it's an empty threat (and one she isn't completely sure she could follow through with), but she's grinning a little anyway. ]

[but heat source!

now he's just going to do some over-exaggerated swaying.]

Is that really something a girl of your age should be saying? So uncute.

No way! I'm still really cute.

[ and she grips his arms a little tighter, because maybe being warm is worth getting a little squished. maybe. ]

I just know how to stick up for myself when you're being a jerk.

[chuckles a bit.]

Guess I should be more careful.

[and he'll just tilt his face down a bit to grin at her before he releases his hold. enough goofing around, time to hit the super snowy trail.]

[ she takes a minute to adjust her coat before she starts walking. then: ]

Wait, why would you need to be careful?

[ does he actually think she'd beat him up? ]

[he could give her a straight answer. instead:]

Are you saying I don't need to be careful?

[ she can kind of recognize that he's being difficult, so she takes a minute to think this over. ]

Well... I guess not. But it really depends on what you mean.