(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]

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.

[reported]

[ 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.

/gets to use beer icon yeeeeah.

[opportunitycosts]

[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.

[reported]

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

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

[opportunitycosts]

[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.

[reported]

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.

[opportunitycosts]

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.

[reported]

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.

[opportunitycosts]

[just a light laugh.]

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

[reported]

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. ]

[opportunitycosts]

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

[reported]

[ 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?

[opportunitycosts]

[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.

[reported]

Don't worry about it.

[ and she sets her book and the pamphlet aside for the time being.

she feels a little guilty for bringing it up, because— well, of course he wouldn't want to talk about it. she doesn't know much about his history with xian du, but the little bit that she does know isn't great. so, she's going to do what she does best, and try to offer some support and lighten things up. ]

I'm not going to force anything out of you if it's too tough to talk about it. [ not for the sake of an article, at least. she scoots to the edge of the bed and then stands. ] Why don't we do something fun, instead?

[opportunitycosts]

[whether he still feels bothered or not, he hides it well. instead he just watches her curiously as she stands.]

Oh? Want to head out already?

[reported]

Yep! There's not much we can do if we're in here, is there?

[ aside from talking. ]

[opportunitycosts]

Heh, I thought you wanted to rest some more.

[he then swings off from his window perch and stands, grabbing his empty bottle and bowl to set it on the table.]

[reported]

Well, you know how I am. Always full of surprises!

[ she grins and then moves to grab her coat and fold it over her arm, just in case it ends up getting colder while they're out. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[he'll be grabbing his coat, but that's because it's more of his style than out of necessity. he'll be leaving his sword in the room, but he'll have his guns concealed on him. can never be too careful. that and he just feels more comfortable with them on him.

after making sure that he's all set, he heads to the door.]

Ready?

[reported]

[ she grabs her notepad off of the bed and then moves to meet him at the door. ]

You bet! Go ahead and lead the way.

[opportunitycosts]

What do you want to hit up first?

[and exiting the room, holding the door for her and waiting before closing and locking it behind them. the indoor elevator is packed, so time to use the outdoor one. scenic view!]

Just wander around in a random direction or do you have something in mind?

[reported]

I'm thinking we could wander a little, unless you know about anything cool worth checking out first.

[ and now the elevator is reaching its destination. it's pretty packed, so she sticks close as she steps out. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[would you like hold hands, Leia?]

Hm...well it's been a couple of years since I've been here, and they've probably changed a few things for this particular event, anyway.

But since we just ate, we can skip the food stalls. Let's check by the river—they usually have pretty interesting stuff down there since a lot of the traveling merchants use it to transport their goods. You might even meet a few interesting people there.

[reported]

[ they should... ]

All right! [ she does a quick, enthusiastic fist pump. ] Keep your eyes peeled for people who look like they'd be good to talk to.

[ and, since she knows where she's going here, she's going to attempt to lead the way. she has to carefully maneuver her way past people, but it isn't going too badly, all things considered. ]

[opportunitycosts]

[may or may not happen. circumstances depending of course~

he'll follow close behind, a bit amused by her enthusiasm. at least he knows that if they ever get separated, he should be able to pick her out of the crowd. it's one of his skills. but the boats are just as picked as apparently others had similar ideas.]

Man...talk about feeling like a can of sardines...how about trying over there, where it's less crowded?

[he has to half shout for her to hear him, yeesh.]