(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]

[ 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. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[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.]

[reported]

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.

[opportunitycosts]

[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.]

[reported]

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. ]

[opportunitycosts]

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.]

[reported]

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?

[opportunitycosts]

[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.

[reported]

[ 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?

[opportunitycosts]

[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.]

[reported]

[ 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?

[opportunitycosts]

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

[reported]

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. ]

[opportunitycosts]

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

[reported]

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

[opportunitycosts]

[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.]

[reported]

[ 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.

[opportunitycosts]

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.]

[reported]

Seriously! I didn't think it'd be this crazy.

[ she even makes a quick grab for his sleeve when they hit a particularly dense crowd where the tunnel ends and the city begins, so they don't get split up. it wouldn't be too hard for her to find him, but... she's on the shorter side, so the reverse probably isn't true. ]

I guess that just means there's going to be more for me to write about, though.

[ which is never a bad thing, as far as she's concerned. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[awww she grabbed his sleeve HOW CUTE. though he's not going to think much of it. in fact it's very practical and he even moves a little closer to her, purposefully acting as a kind of shield as he pushes their way through the crowd. good thing the inn isn't too far away.]

Never can have too much material. Just remember you're writing an article, not a novel.

[and a few subtle pushes and not tripping over that kid later, they're at the inn. phew, what a trek.

except...it's crowded here, too. alarmingly so.]

...OH man, this place better not be overbooked. [because he knows that's a thing that can happen.]

[reported]

[ she looks around the lobby, and— yeah, it's worse than she anticipated here, too.

after a moment, she lets go of his sleeve and looks up at him. ]

What if it is? You'll be able to do something, right?

[ like. charm one of the receptionists into giving them a room. ]

i honestly don't remember half of what i wrote in my tag up there LOL /4am tagging sob

[opportunitycosts]

I did make reservations, but... Well don't worry, I got this. Just wait out in the lobby and watch our things.

[not that he doesn't want her company, but there's some jostling up there at the desk and it would probably be easier and safer for her.

but he has a very bad feeling that their two separate rooms are going to be asked to become one to help accommodate others, if it hasn't already.]

same though orz

[reported]

Alright. Be careful up there, okay?

[ and she gives a quick wave before she moves to a slightly-less-crowded area in the lobby, where she'll patiently wait for him. ]

[opportunitycosts]

I got it, don't worry.

[and he returns the wave before bracing himself. it's going to take him longer than anticipated, and by the time he finally makes his way back to her he's not only starving but now feels like he needs a nap.]

Well I have some good news and bad news. Good news is, we have a room.

[reported]

[ when she sees him, she moves to meet him. she's pretty hungry herself, and she wants to get warmed up and possibly changed, so she's kind of relieved to see him. but— ]

Great! And what's the bad news?

[ she has a feeling she knows what he's going to say, but it's worth asking anyway. ]