highfiving | (no subject)

Don't think I haven't forgotten how you're basically using me for info.

[said with a wry look, but it's in good humor. down the hall, a quick right turn, avoiding some other people who are either checking in or making their way out to go to the festivities, and they're at the room. fortunately, two separate beds so no awkwardness there. it's a bit on the smaller side, but still cozy. the windows are already open, allowing the cool but fresh breeze to filter through along with the sounds of people below.

though it's the colder season, Xian Du's spirit clime is still in effect, allowing it to be much warmer than back in Kanbalar, so once inside, Alvin is setting down his things and taking off his coat before heading over to the window.]

All right, we got a balcony! [a common structure found on all of the buildings in the city, and just an easy swing over and one can easily stand on it. not that he will at the moment.

but there were colorful banners and tenants waved and rustled in the air, some even draped from outside their own room. and if one should go out, it truly is a good view. a little peek around the corner would reveal the large coliseum off in the distance. but most importantly, they can see all the stalls lining the streets and boats floating along the river, all filled with various goods and people.]

[ leia, on the other hand, makes a beeline for one of the beds, and flops down onto it, effectively claiming it as her own; she's in the process of shrugging off her coat when he mentions the balcony. ]

Nice!

[ she peels off her gloves, dropping them onto the bed beside her coat before she crosses the room to take a look for herself. the view is nice— nicer than xian du normally looks, even— and the sight of the bustling crowd and bright decorations makes her smile. it's really festive, and in spite of being hungry and in need of some rest, she's already itching to get back out there. ]

Sharing won't be too bad, with a nice room like this.

[ and she holds up her hand for a high five. ]

[and he grins as he returns that high five.]

Nope. Not bad at all.

[and there's a knock on the door.]

And perfect timing on the food.

[he'll be moving away to answer and tip the guy who...really looks like he could need it. but with warm food and comfy beds, they can now just sit back and relax for an hour or two, or however long they need.]

[ she soaks up the view for a few more minutes before wandering back to see what he got. ]

So, what's on the menu?

[ whatever it is, it smells nice. and cue her stomach rumbling. ]

Just a few of Xian Du's specialties for that should help warm you right up.

[more specifically, a special type of stew with beef, local vegetables, and bit of a spicy kick to the broth. there are also some dumplings on the side. for her he got her some tea and water. for himself? beer. of course.]

[ but are they gaius dumplings, that's the real question here. ]

Sounds great.

[ and she moves to take a bowl for herself (because the dumplings and tea can wait). it's kind of hot, but it honestly feels sort of refreshing after being in the cold for so long. then, she moves to sit on the edge of her bed. she takes a few small sips of the soup, and then looks to him. ]

Do you want me to pay you back for this or anything?

[ since he's always complaining about her effects on his wallet. ]

[he's going to be by the window both out of comfort and a bit out of nostalgia.]

Nah, it's fine. You can just treat me the next time we go out.

Sounds fair to me!

[ and sipping at the soup some more... ]

Maybe I could even drag you along with me next time I visit Leronde, and hook you up with a home-cooked meal.

[ because she doesn't visit nearly as often as she should, and the food at the lodge is still the best. ]

I guess it has been a while since I've been over there, let alone had any of your family's meals.

But do you really want to drag me out there just for the food?

Hey, the food makes it more than worth it!

[ then again, finding the time to actually go there could pose a problem, so... ]

But I guess if you don't feel like making the trip, I could treat you to something that isn't so far away.

We'll see how things go, how about that?

[ she flashes him a quick thumbs up. ]

Sounds like a plan!

[ and now she's finished with her stew, so she grabs a dumpling and then wanders over toward the window. ]

So, is anything interesting happening out there?

Hmm...

[he glances over his shoulder.]

Haven't seen or heard or anything yet, but they might throw a few traditional dance shows once it gets closer to evening.

[ she squints, taking a look for herself. it doesn't look too much different from how it looked before, but— ]

You'd better work on resting up, then! I'm going to have to see that up-close.

[ and then she heads back to her bed so she can dig her notebook out of the pocket of her coat. she polishes off the rest of her dumpling before she sits down to flip through it. ]

I wanted to check out a few stalls, too. You know, so I can talk to the people who run them and see what kinds of things they sell.

[chuckles as he just sets aside his own finished bowl and just leans back casually against the window, idly sipping his beer.]

I know, I know. But don't forget you have tomorrow, too.

I know that! I'm just kind of pumped now that we're actually here.

[ ... in other words, she's bad at pacing herself. ]

[what did he say about her being high maintenance?]

I would say that you shouldn't forget to have fun, but this is you I'm dealing with. You'd probably get carried away and actually forget about your article.

Come on, give me a little more credit than that! I totally know how to balance working and having fun.

[ he almost sounds like her editor. ]

I was going to do a little shopping while I talked to vendors, you know.

Oh? Better be careful then. Prices are usually marked-up for occasions like these and they'll definitely try to encourage you to buy more than you really need.

Now who needs to remember to have fun?

[ spoilers: he does. ]

There's not much I want to buy, though, so I really will try to be careful. Promise.

[just a light laugh.]

All right, all right. Just trying to look out for you.

Yeah, I know. You've really got my back.

[ she lifts her head so she can grin at him before turning her focus back toward her notebook and then, after a moment, the pamphlet she got before.

hm... ]

By the way, you've been to this festival before, right? Like, a bunch of times?

[ because that's kind of what it sounds like. ]

Well...a few times, anyway. Whenever I was in the area.

[ she's going to broach this subject as carefully as she can, so her expression and tone soften a little as she responds. ]

Do you feel up to talking about it?

[he's silent for a moment. this...is actually a difficult question. he's had both good memories and bad ones about this time. obviously not bad enough to make him refuse going.

their little group did not know his true feelings about Xian Du and the hardships he had to deal with his mother. but if he were to talk to someone about it, oddly enough, Leia is the one he'd most likely open up about it. he even looks as if he's considering, but then he just gives a rueful grin and a slight shake of his head.]

Maybe another time. Wouldn't want to ruin the day be being a downer so early on.

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/gets to use beer icon yeeeeah.

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