(no subject)

[reported]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[reported]

[ and now she's down to four questions.

she thinks she might have a decent idea of what he could give her, so she tucks her notepad away and stuffs her hands into her pockets again. they're getting closer to xian du, but that doesn't mean that she's ready to expose any part of herself to the cold for longer than she has to. ]

Was I right when I said it was something you have with you?

[opportunitycosts]

You were right about that, too.

[except he didn't answer quite immediately, actually tilting his head slightly as if to contemplate for a moment.]

[reported]

[ she was going to go ahead and make her guess, but the fact that he seemed to have to think about his answer makes her a little unsure, so— ]

Did you seriously have to think that over?

[opportunitycosts]

Just a little.

[or........did he just do that on purpose?]

Two questions.

[reported]

[ he's not going to get off the hook that easily. ]

Hey, that doesn't count as a question!

[opportunitycosts]

It's a game of twenty questions and every question counts, you know.

Besides, it looks like you might have an idea.

[reported]

You've got that right.

[ but she still takes a moment to think it over, considering all of the answers he's given her one last time. then she gives a quick, decisive nod. ]

I'm thinking that it might be your coat.

[ since he said it wasn't a fire or a hug, there isn't too much else that fits the bill. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[and there's a wincing hiss.]

Ooh, nice try. But that's not it.

[reported]

Seriously? I totally thought I had it!

[ and she kind of put all of her eggs in that basket, so she's fresh out of ideas. ]

What else could it be?

[opportunitycosts]

That's what you were supposed to figure out. [grins. clearly, he won.]

So you wanna know?

[reported]

Heck yeah I do!

[ yeah, he definitely won, but she isn't too torn up over it. ]

Are you actually going to tell me?

[opportunitycosts]

I am...but now I'm debating if I should wait until we actually get to Xian Du like I originally planned.

[reported]

Come on, there's no way I'll be able to wait that long!

[ even if they are getting closer. ]

[opportunitycosts]

All right, all right.

Close your eyes.

[reported]

Well... all right.

[ that wasn't really what she was expecting to hear, but he went along with her game of twenty questions, so she'll go along with this.

and she slows to a stop and closes her eyes. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[there's a slight rustle from underneath his coat before she feels something settle right on top of her head.

it's a pair of gloves that are both fashionable and cute—just her style. SURPRISE. Merry Christmas]

[reported]

[ when she feels the weight on top of her head, she cracks open one eye, then the other, and reaches up to take the gloves into her hands. they definitely fit her taste, if the smile that spreads across her face is anything to go by. ]

Are these seriously for me?

[ because she doesn't know what she expected, exactly, but a sincere gift probably wasn't it. ]

[opportunitycosts]

Yep. Call it part of the tradition.

[reported]

Thanks! [ now she's smiling a little wider. he just scored major points with her. ] That's really sweet of you.

[ and then, as she's pulling the gloves on, an idea strikes her— ]

... you know, come to think of it, I might have something for you, too.

[opportunitycosts]

Oh?

[he was not expecting that.]

I'm not going to have play twenty questions to figure it out, am I? I prefer the more direct approach.

[he likes having OTHER people figure things out. not so much for himself.]

[reported]

Nope! All you have to do is close your eyes.

[ if her smile looks a little more mischievous now it's. probably just a trick of the light. maybe. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[should he be getting a bad feeling about this? but he gave her gloves! surely that should, you know, warrant something nice.

so okay, HE'S TRUSTING YOU LEIA. crossing his arms as he closes his eyes and waits somewhat patiently.]

All right, eyes are closed.

[and now he really is curious on what she could have up her sleeve.]

[reported]

[ once his eyes are closed, he should be able to hear the sound of her walking through the snow, and maybe the occasional sniffle (because the gloves are definitely helping her fingers thaw out, but it's still pretty cold).

then, after a very short silence...

she tosses a snowball at his face. and it's his fault, since he gave her something that would make it easier for her to play around in the snow. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[suddenly SNOWBALL!?]

What the—hey!!

[wiping his face as he half glares half looks at her dumbfounded.

WHY LEIA WHY just as planned.]

[reported]

[ that reaction was totally worth it, wow. she brushes some stray snow from her gloves and grins at him. ]

I totally got you, didn't I?