nexus_crossings | Not all Spring beginnings are nice

It's been some time since the resident rogue made her way to the Plaza to be social, but today seems to be an exception to her recent desire to hide away. In spite of the warm Spring weather, she's dressed in her usual garb sans cloak - linen pants and full-sleeved shirt with embroidery down the outer seams, leather underbust corset, belt full of weapons, and hair pinned up with her unique silver hair pin. No armor today, though, which could well be taken as a sign of progress.

She's quiet for a long while as she paces, debating her words carefully. Her brow furrows and the fingers of her right hand brush through the strands of her hair pin in an obviously nervous manner.

"Spring is a time for new beginnings. A time for casting off the old and welcoming in change." Another pause as she stops in her pacing. "But it's never as easy as all of that. For some, Spring is... hard, a reminder of things now gone rather than a glimmer of hope for what's to come."

A sigh escapes her as she crosses her arms in front of her chest and her gaze settles on nothing in particular in the distance. "Sometimes, you just... need help figuring out what to do. So, the question I pose is this.." She takes a deep breath before focusing more on the crowd in front of her. "How do you cope with loss?"

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"I've tried that." Her left hand rests gently on the hilt of her rapier for a moment before she crosses her arms again. Perhaps it's a little too subtle for the recovering Spirit, but Amelia thinks she's being plenty obvious about her workout habits. "I can exhaust my body all I want but that doesn't help when my mind won't rest. Hence the research. I'm trying to find a way to... broaden my skill set, make myself more useful in the future."

What a fantastic stretch of the truth that is. Still, she isn't technically lying, so she doesn't feel any guilt over the answer.

"Thinking too much gets you stuck in your own thoughts. Too much staying in there." He taps his temple and then looks around for somewhere to sit. "There's a knack to distractions. Why do you think I go climbing mountains, dragging amateurs behind me? All of my body focused on the task, all my mind focused on the task. Unified on survival."

He settles on a block of stone which he plonks himself down on.

Don't laugh. Don't laugh, Amelia. That would be rude and it ended terribly the last time you provoked him.

...okay, just one snort won't be too bad, right?

"You climb mountains?" She's obviously incredulous, given his current state. "Or do you only climb them when you can use the current season to your advantage? I can't see you striking your way up a rock face right now."

Why does she taunt him, this is a terrible idea.

Edited 2016-05-05 00:51 (UTC)

He frowns at her, leaning back to give an appalled look. "It's my off Season job. I climb mountains better than anyone. Even right now." A sloppy grin spreads across his face then. "The mountains like me, though."

Amelia, no. That is not a challenge. Don't--

A grin spreads across her face as she leans her weight into one hip and tilts her chin up flippantly. "I'd like to see you prove that."

Such a terrible idea.

Initially, he looks at her in mild surprise and then tilts his head down, an eyebrow lifting. "You think in all my years I haven't tested it already?"

A thought crosses his mind. "What would I get if I did prove it?"

Her grin widens. "Oh, I'm certain you have. But how am I, a mere mortal, to know that?" He makes it so easy to taunt him when he's like this.

She can only hope he doesn't remember this come next Winter.

His question gets careful thought before she answers. "The finest bottle of wine I can find and a bottle of the variety and vintage of your choosing." A beat. "And a favor - any favor - that I'm capable of performing. I won't put any restrictions on it as far as timing, either."

That's an awful lot to promise, but she could use a distraction and this challenge seems like an interesting one.

The second eyebrow joins his first and then he grins. "It's a deal!"

He shifts his weight back and forth to find his PINpoint. "I'll get my things and choose a mountain."

Part of her realizes this is a terrible idea, because he's given no promise as to her getting something out of this, but his attitude is far too amusing for her to care. Besides, what's the point of remaining in a place like this if she doesn't do something reckless every once in a while?

"I'll need more appropriate dress for the trip as well." She pauses for a moment before adding, "When and where should I meet you for this trip of ours? Do you need a little time to sober up before heading out?" So much taunting. So much not caring about the consequences, either.

"I'm sober enough," he replies lightly, waggling slightly as he straightens and puts on a mock-serious front.

"How about here in half an hour?" He leans forward and taunts right back. "Or do you need time to do your hair?"

She rolls her eyes at him. "Half an hour. Don't be late."

And with that, she turns and disappears off down the Plaza to get ready for this strange adventure they're about to set off on.

Not all Spring beginnings are nice

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I totally edited just for the icon. Sorry, not sorry. XD

Worth it ^^

It was too good to pass up.

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