(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

[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?

[opportunitycosts]

[dryly.]

Haha, very funn—ah, damn— [and suddenly he has a hand over his eye, wincing in pain as he hunches over.]

I think some of it got in my eye—[DOWN TO ONE KNEE LOOKING VERY MUCH IN PAIN or is he]

[reported]

... really? Are you okay?

[ she edges closer, moving so she can kneel beside him. ]

Do you want me to take a look at it?

[ and there's some very real concern leaking into her voice now. ]

[opportunitycosts]

No...it's fine...I think...I got it...

[and then with his free hand he's grabbed a fistful of snow and just dumps it on her head.]

[reported]

Hey—!

[ she sputters and scrambles to her feet, wiping at the snow in an attempt to get it out of her hair and away from her face. ]

I thought you were supposed to be acting nice!

[ except, in spite of what she's saying, there's a small smile tugging at her lips. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[already balling up another one.]

Yeah, that all ended when you threw a snowball at my face.

[and THROWING.]

[reported]

[ ... and it hits her! so she brushes it off and reaches down to gather up a handful of snow, pack it together, and toss it his way. ]

Come on, it was just a little joke!

[opportunitycosts]

[this time he's ready so he's able to dodge it—barely.]

And after I gave you a gift, too!

[and chucking another one! though it's all in good spirit.]

[reported]

I said thank you!

[ the snowball grazes her, so she's going to make a break for a nearby tree, that way she can try using it as cover while she makes another one of her own. ]

That counts for something, right?

[ and she throws it. ]

[opportunitycosts]

Not when you throw a snowball right after!

[he has no trees on his side, dangit, and that one catches him on the shoulder because he was in the process making a snowball. but he just takes it and moves over to some boulders before slinging one over.]

[reported]

You're throwing them, too!

[ so now she has no choice but to defend herself, okay.

and because she's paying more attention to their "argument" than where the snowballs are coming from, that one nails her right in the face. it takes her a second to recover and shake the snow off of herself, but she throws another one his way regardless. ]

[opportunitycosts]

Only because you did!

[this. sounds like something little kids would argue over. but when you're in a snowball fight, the age already doesn't matter.

he manages to duck behind the boulder again, this time making two snowballs before slinging them both at her.]

[reported]

[ she's paying closer attention now, so she hides behind the tree to avoid those. the next one she throws over might be a little bigger than the rest of hers have been, too. because two can play at that game. ]

Yeah, but you're supposed to be the mature one! You totally could've shrugged it off!

[opportunitycosts]

And let you get away with that? Hell no!

[so mature indeed. she manages to nail him in the arm, eyes closing briefly to avoid the spray of snow before he retreats back behind his boulder.

this could go on for ages, especially given how stubborn these two can be. but she's behind a tree and... she won't see it, but a giant smirk forms.]

Besides, I'm pretty sure I'm going to win.

[just going to make a snowball while staying behind that boulder.]

[reported]

[ the pinnacle of maturity, these two. ]

You really think so?

[ after making herself another snowball (just in case), she peeks out from behind the tree; she's a little curious about what he's up to. ]

What, do you have a super-secret trump card, or something?

[opportunitycosts]

[he'll slowly rise up from behind the boulder, a snowball tossing up and down in his head.]

I'd like to think...[and then he winds up for the pitch.]...so!

[and that's a very powerful throw. except it's not going to Leia. it's arcing high. it will be thudding hard against the branches of the tree she's using.

branches full of snow.

branches full of snow that had not been hit by just a snowball, but a snowball that had a rock in it.

heads up, Leia.]