highfiving | (no subject)

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.

Indeed, I wonder...

[and he continues to be difficult.]

But you know me. I'd rather avoid pain if possible.

Come on, I wouldn't actually hurt you! We're friends, remember?

[ and he could probably take whatever she had to dish out, anyway. ]

[he knows it and he's heard her say it a lot over the past year, but it's always still nice to hear it. so he chuckles.]

I know, I know. [and he's glad for it.] And don't worry—I'll keep my jerk levels to just tolerable.

You're usually pretty tolerable already.

[ which, even if she's kidding around, is something she actually means. ]

So, does that mean you're going to be seriously nice?

Well I haven't been half-heartedly nice.

[Alvin stop with the wordplay and semantics.]

[ he's going to drive her crazy before they even reach xian du at this rate. ]

You know that's not what I meant!

[it's what he does best.]

I know what you meant, but do you know what I meant?

[seriously, who's the kid in this group.]

[ at least his antics are keeping her mind off of how cold it is...? ]

Nope, you totally lost me. If you wanted to keep your jerk-levels down, you could always fill me in, though.

[mission accomplished 8)]

That would be way too easy. I thought you preferred surprises.

What, do you want me to try and guess, or something?

[ because she definitely will. ]

It's either that or just wait for it to happen. But I might not even tell you if you get it right.

You know, sniffing out the truth is kind of my job now. I bet I could figure it out pretty easily.

[ but then she gets a better idea— ]

How about we turn it into a game of twenty questions?