highfiving | (no subject)

[he's laughing as he comes out from his hiding place, walking toward her.]

I think Rowen would be very proud of that strategic maneuver.

I dunno, he probably wouldn't be happy to know that you're being a jerk.

[ but she laughs a little anyway as she continues to brush at the snow. ]

I think this is fair play given all things considered. Again, who was the real jerk, now?

[at this point he's crossed the gap and will be nice to help brush off some of that snow. man, he really did get her good.]

I wasn't being a jerk! I just wanted to have a little fun before we get to Xian Du.

[ and now that her coat is more or less cleaned up, she lets her hair down so she can shake it out. ]

You can be a real wet blanket sometimes, you know.

[ she's just kidding, of course— in actuality he's usually the only one she can really get to play along with her antics. ]

Uh huh. Should I take those gloves back?

[joking of course. he's moving around her to brush off the snow from her back and...huh.]

Has your hair gotten longer?

Huh?

[ she turns her head a little, gathering her hair up so she can comb her fingers through it and make sure the majority of the snow is gone. ]

Well, yeah. I thought it might look cuter like this. [ even if she doesn't wear it down often enough to show it off. ] What do you think?

Not bad, actually. A bit new for me, too, since your hair was short the first time we met and you always have it pinned up.

[actually. it's kind of cute. and he may or may not be playing with it a little.

it's like. a thing people do with long hair, okay.]

Also gives you a bit more of an older, mature look.

[said in a half teasing way.]

[ if it weren't for the fact that her face is already red from the cold, that might actually make her blush. at the very least, though, her face feels a little warmer. she wasn't expecting a (sort of) sincere response. ]

You really think so?

[ and she drops her hands back to her sides, then clasps her hands together in front of herself.

she notices him messing with her hair, obviously, but it's actually kind of nice, so. she's not going to try to stop him just yet. ]

[there's also snow in her hair, so it's not completely him fooling around.]

Would I lie about a girl's looks?

[he leans a little over her shoulder to peer at her.]

But seriously. I like it.

[and then with one last once over and a pat on her shoulder he steps back.]

You really are a ladies' man, huh?

[ and she ties her hair back up and then turns to face him. ]

Thanks, though. It's kind of nice to hear things like that, sometimes.

[why yes he is and he just grins and winks at her in response.]

What, you don't get compliments when you're out there reporting?

[and now he has his arms crossed behind his head as he gives her more room to head back on the road.]

I've gotten a couple, but it actually doesn't happen that often.

[ but she's not too broken up over it, honestly.

and she starts walking. if she squints, she can almost see the tunnel that leads to xian du in the distance. ]

I haven't gotten any dates since I came to Elympios, either, unless going out to eat with you counts.

[ which is a joke, but. it's also not untrue. ]

Unfortunately, those are what most people would consider "hang outs." [although they may or may not have been mistaken as a couple at least once or twice before.]

But what's this about dates now? You make it sound as if you had dated a few times before.

[he's all ears here. unless she's joking. in which case, he'll be somewhat disappointed.]

Nope! I never got to go on any back in Rieze Maxia, either.

[ she had been too hung up on jude, and then when their journey was over, she was too busy with helping her parents to think about dating— but that's a heavy topic for such a lighthearted conversation.

so, she's going to make an attempt at shifting the conversation away from herself, just a little. ]

What about you? Have you had any luck lately?

[he had known about the Jude hang-up but if there had been anytime in-between... but apparently not. and of course, she turns the question around at him, which is something he had half-expected.]

Not really. Then again, I haven't been really looking. I figured I'd focus on the business first, make sure things get settled and all that.

Besides, I doubt I'm really ready to start the whole dating thing right now.

[he says this with nonchalance and an idle shrug, as if it's a topic he's dealt with before. he probably has, really, maybe even from some prospective ladies from lone evenings at a bar. but given his history and what he's had to deal with recently (especially that fractured dimension) ...it makes sense that he wouldn't really be looking. not even any one night stands! not that he'd tell her that because not exactly saying that to any of the guys is one thing. saying that to a girl, no matter how much of a "best bud" they are, is another.]

But whenever I do, I'll do it properly. You know, take it seriously.

[ sometimes it's easy to momentarily forget he has his own baggage in that department, but she understands (as much as she can understand, at least), and his answer doesn't surprise her too much.

but this has the potential to get even more serious than it did before, so. she's going to try to lighten things up with a joke. ]

That's pretty deep. [ and she smiles a small, teasing smile. ] But, hey— does that mean I might get to eventually see you settle down with someone?

[just a laugh.]

Maybe. I'll even let you meet the lucky lady, but only if you tell me of any guys that start chasing after you. [teasing grin.] You know, to see what crazy guy actually thinks he can keep up with you. [and a playful nudge with his elbow.]

[ well. that deal is fine with her, aside from one small detail: ]

Wait, are you saying that a guy would need to be crazy to want to go out with me?

I'm just saying you might be a bit of high maintenance.

No way! I'm the exact opposite of high maintenance!

[ and now she's pouting. she might be playing it up a little to joke around, but still. ]

Uh huh. Says the one who kept wanting to try all the different food stalls because she couldn't just pick one.

Hey, it's not my fault that they all sounded good. And it doesn't make me high maintenance, either!

[he's just going to pat her head.]

My wallet says otherwise.

[he's kidding of course. ....mostly.

but good news, they're now at the entrance of the tunnel and it's even full of decorations here, too. in fact they'll be handing out little pamphlets about the festivities that are already in full swing.]

So wanna check-in first or do you want to walk around for a bit? [and then a glance at our clothes. ...well.] Although maybe getting you dried off and warmed up first might be better.

[you know. since she got covered in all that snow.]

[ and she immediately simmers down once she gets her hands on one of the pamphlets. she takes a moment to thumb through it before she responds. ]

Yeah, I don't know how long I'll last, otherwise.

[ because she's been getting used to the cold for the duration of their trip, but she was also a nurse, and she knows that it's. not good to walk around cold and wet like this. the idea of being in a nice, warm room is a little more appealing than it should be, anyway. ]

Why don't we check in, order something to eat, and then head back out after we're finished? That would give me plenty of time to get warmed up.

Sounds like a plan. I could use a bit of a break myself.

[to the inn! but as they get closer to the city, it's becoming more evident how crowded it is. it's made even worse with the addition of Elympions also arriving to check it out. it's the first time this festival has been held since the schism lifted, after all, so there's been heavy press about it, too.]

Man...it's only the first day, too. I've never seen this place so crowded, not even for the Coliseum tournaments.

[good thing they made reservations.]