[ she just keeps everything else hidden underneath her hoodie, it's aight. that geriatric comment is so uncalled for though, and she scowls at his back while he leads them downstairs and out of their dorm. ]
Yeah, well, whippersnappers like you need to slow down every once in a while. Jeez.
[ she is still YOUNG and HIP hello!!! ]
Don't you usually go out to... wherever we're going with a bunch of friends?
I'm not dour. [ says the dour-looking girl, rolling the helmet in her hands for a bit before strapping it onto her head. ] I just have a permanent resting bitch face, is all.
[ besides, she wouldn't be following him at all if she wasn't enjoying himself. ]
You still haven't told me where we're going, you know. Unless you want me to see it for myself first?
[ grips onto this tightly even as we talk about idol au. multiple blair threads for me
anyway, sometimes being friends with everyone means you're friends with no one. deep. ]
I told you it'd be a surprise so we're keeping it a surprise. If it turns out you aren't interested we can always go back. Half the fun's doing things on the fly.
[ he gives an irreverent wave of his hand as he takes his seat, waiting for her to climb on. after a brief pause, his hand settles on the handles, and he gives the motorcycle an experimental rev. ]
Need me to drive at the speed limit for you?
[ asks this even though he will not drive at the speed limit ]
he really wants her to waste more time with him, huh. what a weirdo. she hesitates in hopping on for a hot second though, before taking a deep breath and sliding onto the seat behind him. then another significant pause, finally deciding on putting both her hands on his waist. there, safe and secure(?). ]
Do you want to get pulled over? [ huffs! ] Just be careful, jeez.
[ he does not want to be pulled over but like. the night ride vibes means there aren't many cars on the road, so even if he has to swerve between traffic it's only occasional and not all the time. hope she enjoys that bit of excitement in her life! elysium certainly looks like he's thriving and in his element.
it's about a fifteen-minute ride, even with no obstructions. by now, they've left the city behind, the outskirts stretching around them—just open space and the quiet presence of the local fauna, with a a dense forest stretching out before them.
he hops off. he'll peer over to her to see how she's doing, holding out a hand if she needs it. ]
[ he sure is thriving! so much so that ishmael wraps her arms around him when he chooses to pick up speed at some point, resting her cheek on his back as she watches the cityscape slowly change into the outskirts. she'd been out of the city before but not usually accompanied with someone, much less someone she'd only recently met, and by the time elysium slows down to a stop and hops off, her heart is all but threatening to jump out of her chest.
so, of course she's going to take his hand, her knees wobbling a little as she walks it off. ]
I don't know. Stargazing?
[ deja vu... she peers at the skies above to see if they're clear enough. ]
It's the only thing I could think of. Why else would you take me here?
his response takes a half beat, too entertained watching her dismount the bike like a newborn foal. it's equal parts adorable and endearing, and he keeps his hand steady around hers up until she finds her footing. ]
Oh? Aren't you a romantic. Were you thinking of this as a date this entire time?
[ regardless of what she says, he doesn't push back—just shifts gears with a quick grin, smoothing over it cheerfully. ]
I jest, I jest. [ hehe. ] I told you I liked walks, and you called it basic. But you also told me, 'who doesn't?' So that's what we're doing. We're hiking, silly. No qualms, yeah?
[ a hike that may or may not lead exactly to her guess… that's a surprise for later. there's also an entire measure between 'walk' and 'hike,' but whatever. sue him. ]
Now I know you're really missing out. Why wouldn't people go on evening hikes? There's just as much to see under the cover of night as there is in daylight. Not everything the sun hides from us has to be scary.
[ he hums, unfazed by her behaviour. it's a perfectly valid response to someone who's being overly familiar, and he simply laughs. he exists to ruin moments, nbd. ]
And no kidding. [ both palms go up in resignation. ] The optics of going out with a guy at this hour are pretty sketch, aren't they…?
[ what more, someone she barely knows. he actually does look like he's considering it seriously, and he'll stop in his tracks to allow her to gain distance. ]
Sorry about that. [ a pause. ] If you wanna head back, I could call you a taxi.
[ her feet slows down a few steps ahead of him to a stop, turning around to read his expression. he doesn't look like he's planning something nefarious with her, not after all that nonsense he made her went through from the night they met. he's just overly friendly, is all.
but that's the dangerous part, isn't it?
...
she backtracks, walking silently towards him and takes him by the wrist. ]
We're already here, so you may as well show me your surprise now or never. [ tugs him forward ] Come on.
[ well, that's a surprise. he blinks at the hand on his wrist, a smile tugging at his lips as he lightly shaking his hand as if to test the strength of her hold. ]
Never? That's harsh. And here I was, already thinking about what I could do next to win your trust. I'm pretty studious when it counts, you know. I make a mean study partner.
[ with a bit more gusto, he tries to wrest his hand free, aiming to tuck both his hands into his pockets. no misbehaviour here. ]
Mm. Go ahead and follow the trail. [ there are little lights embedded into the steps; evidently, it's well treaded and taken care of. ] I wouldn't take a newbie somewhere off the beaten path—it'll lead you directly to where I wanted to take you.
[ if he's that studious, why didn't he join her in studying back at the cafe!!!! what a confusing guy, smiling even when she all but accused him of being a murderer. ishmael's got half a mind to ditch his ass and stomp off home.
and yet, her hold around his wrist is tight, and she only lets go because elysium doesn't want to be held, apparently. so with one more sigh, she turns her back on him and eyes the lit trail which stretches forth in front of them into the wilderness.
then, quietly: ] Just... stay right next to me, okay?
[ and off she goes, following the faintly lit path. now where is this leading up to, she wonders........ ]
anyway, sorry to bring this back to ecats but i am mobile for the foreseeable future so here we are. it's about a twenty minute trek along the way, in which he'll let her take in the fauna around them if she isn't feeling particularly chatty. otherwise, they can make ado about nothing!
the trail winds its way to a fenced-off cliff, where the world falls away into open ocean. the breeze presses against them, cool and alive, carrying the scent of salt and distant waves. moonlight spills across the water's surface, scattering into a thousand glittering stars that seem to dance with every rise and fall of the tide. ]
It's not really a walk along the beach, but it's close enough. What do you think? Not something you can just get to feel or see if you're always holed up, yeah?
she can hear the waves splashing against the cliffside on the way up, but nothing beats the view itself once they've reached the top. ishmael's speechless for a moment, mouth slightly agape as she approaches the fence and places her hands on the railings, staring out into the ocean. ]
...It's as beautiful as I remembered it.
[ she turns to elysium, the ocean breeze combing through her hair and taking her breath away. ]
So... this is what you do apart from partying and bussing tables?
[ he gives her the moment, standing back with his hands tucked into his pockets. his head tilts, contemplative. she can't see it, but he's doing it anyway; instead of focusing on a view he's seen countless times before, his eyes linger on how she fits into the nightscape: her hair dulled by the dark, but no less striking against the quiet backdrop. ]
You could say that. I like hiking, travelling.
[ a wider smile tugs at his lips as he looks down, nudging a small rock off the path with the tip of his shoe. ]
They take me to all kinds of places. But getting to show others what I find's a close runner-up.
and fine ill make it even smaller. she turns toward the ocean again, folding her arms together on the rails. ]
I like traveling, too. On water, at least. I just haven't had the time to visit the ocean in years now.
[ a Lot happened since then, ok. fortunately for elysium, she's not going to traumadump on him right away. instead she looks at him with a muted smile, tucking a lock of her wayward hair behind her ear. ]
I'm just surprised you still find the time to do all this. I keep thinking that there's never enough.
That's because there isn't. You have to pick and choose your battles and ask yourself what really matters to you. In a couple years from now, what are you going actually remember? The fact that eked out that last point on a test, or the view you saw today?
[ a smile back, and he'll finally join her up by the railing, arms bracing on top. ]
Mind you, I don't do this everyday. Just often enough to remind myself there's more to life than the grind.
...That last point on a test will make or break my career, though.
[ she pouts a little before turning her attention back to the ocean view. you can't just say that to a girlie who's been an honor student since birth, damn. ]
But I get what you're saying. I definitely won't be forgetting this view anytime soon.
[ yet there's a certain melancholy in her voice as she says it, and she leans down to rest her head on her folded arms. it's beautiful, she can't deny it. if only that beauty alone isn't making her stomach churn in all sorts of subtle ways. ]
You didn't have to do all this for me, but... Thanks.
If that's what's important to you, sure, I'm not about to argue against it.
[ she wouldn't be the first person to call him too chill… but that's just how it goes for a guy who has no real aspirations. it's little reckless to push what he doesn't know, and maybe that last point would mean something somewhere. but to him, he'd keep rolling with the punches anyhow. what isn't meant to be isn't meant to be.
he shrugs, nonchalant. ]
But who said I did it for you, anyway? Now you can't call me a shallow guy who doesn't know anything but partying. Heheh. Fess up. [ he elbows her teasingly. ] You thought I was going to take you somewhere totally lame, weren't you?
[ unfortunately, he likes bars and party vibes as much as the next frat guy but look, he knows better than to take certain people to certain environments. ]
[ he's going to get a more aggressive elbowing for that. she's been nice to him the whole time, tf. ]
And no, I assumed you were going to murder me. Remember? [ lmao ] But I was serious when I thought you were going to take me out stargazing too. And, well...
[ the stars glitter over the peaceful waters, with the moonlight casting down some sort of road towards the shore. it's a pretty sight, one that has her head tilting slightly with a soft exhale. ]
Yeaaaah, about that. You might want to work on your expressions.
[ this could just be a joke, but. you know. ignores how she thinks he was about to MURDER her ok!!!! ]
I chose to study here specifically because you can still see the stars at night. It's a good middle ground, you know? College towns might be isolated, but they offer these little pockets free of light pollution without taking you too far from the conveniences of modern life. Not a bad trade, considering you're signing away more than just a few years of your life away.
It doesn't compare to seeing them out in the true open, but it's something. If you like stars, have you had a chance to check out the observatory on campus?
[ she did tell him that she has a case of permanent resting bitch face........... he should be luckily these are all the emotions she can muster at the moment. ]
I've heard weirder reasons why people choose their universities. Wanting to see the stars is a new one, though.
But no, I haven't gone there yet. It's only been a couple of weeks since the semester started, you know. [ HOW DOES HE FIND THE TIME it's crazy ] I have studied a bit about the stars, though. Mostly out of boredom than anything serious.
[ it's more the proximity to nature in general, but the stars are a compelling reason of their own. anyway, even if she has a resting bitch face, there can be shades of a resting bitch face? maybe that pixel difference is what he honed in on… (delusional) ]
Well, yeah. Beginning of the semester's the best time to scope things out.
[ he makes a little circle with his finger, shoulders lifting in an easy shrug. ]
What do you know about them? Recognise any out here?
[ true, but she's never had the need to visit other places like the observatory till now......
anyway she's squinting at the sky now, resting bitch face now scrunched in concentration as she tries to make out the constellations she swore she'd read somewhere. ]
Um, see that cluster of stars? The bright ones that would form an imperfect rectangle if you connect them together, then another line jutting from one of the corners to connect to another nearby star.
[ she leans sideways till her shoulder bumps against elysium's, pointing up to the sky and tracing said wonky rectangle with her finger. ]
That's Corvus, I think. The Crow. That's one of the few ones I know.
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no subject
Yeah, well, whippersnappers like you need to slow down every once in a while. Jeez.
[ she is still YOUNG and HIP hello!!! ]
Don't you usually go out to... wherever we're going with a bunch of friends?
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[ pretends he hears nothing. it's fine. gives him a motorcycle in this au too so he can toss a helmet towards her once they reach the parking lot. ]
Still, the best spots are meant to be shared. Stop looking so dour. You might as well enjoy something you've already agreed to, Miss Ishmael.
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I'm not dour. [ says the dour-looking girl, rolling the helmet in her hands for a bit before strapping it onto her head. ] I just have a permanent resting bitch face, is all.
[ besides, she wouldn't be following him at all if she wasn't enjoying himself. ]
You still haven't told me where we're going, you know. Unless you want me to see it for myself first?
no subject
anyway, sometimes being friends with everyone means you're friends with no one. deep. ]
I told you it'd be a surprise so we're keeping it a surprise. If it turns out you aren't interested we can always go back. Half the fun's doing things on the fly.
[ he gives an irreverent wave of his hand as he takes his seat, waiting for her to climb on. after a brief pause, his hand settles on the handles, and he gives the motorcycle an experimental rev. ]
Need me to drive at the speed limit for you?
[ asks this even though he will not drive at the speed limit ]
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he really wants her to waste more time with him, huh. what a weirdo. she hesitates in hopping on for a hot second though, before taking a deep breath and sliding onto the seat behind him. then another significant pause, finally deciding on putting both her hands on his waist. there, safe and secure(?). ]
Do you want to get pulled over? [ huffs! ] Just be careful, jeez.
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it's about a fifteen-minute ride, even with no obstructions. by now, they've left the city behind, the outskirts stretching around them—just open space and the quiet presence of the local fauna, with a a dense forest stretching out before them.
he hops off. he'll peer over to her to see how she's doing, holding out a hand if she needs it. ]
Can you guess what we're doing now?
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so, of course she's going to take his hand, her knees wobbling a little as she walks it off. ]
I don't know. Stargazing?
[ deja vu... she peers at the skies above to see if they're clear enough. ]
It's the only thing I could think of. Why else would you take me here?
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his response takes a half beat, too entertained watching her dismount the bike like a newborn foal. it's equal parts adorable and endearing, and he keeps his hand steady around hers up until she finds her footing. ]
Oh? Aren't you a romantic. Were you thinking of this as a date this entire time?
[ regardless of what she says, he doesn't push back—just shifts gears with a quick grin, smoothing over it cheerfully. ]
I jest, I jest. [ hehe. ] I told you I liked walks, and you called it basic. But you also told me, 'who doesn't?' So that's what we're doing. We're hiking, silly. No qualms, yeah?
[ a hike that may or may not lead exactly to her guess… that's a surprise for later. there's also an entire measure between 'walk' and 'hike,' but whatever. sue him. ]
no subject
Hiking this late at night? You really think I'm going to buy that?
[ she stuffs both her hands in her pockets and trudges a little ahead of him. ]
Just so you know, I'm armed and I'm not afraid to use it.
[ just don't ask what she's armed with because she didn't think that far ahead yet ]
no subject
[ he hums, unfazed by her behaviour. it's a perfectly valid response to someone who's being overly familiar, and he simply laughs. he exists to ruin moments, nbd. ]
And no kidding. [ both palms go up in resignation. ] The optics of going out with a guy at this hour are pretty sketch, aren't they…?
[ what more, someone she barely knows. he actually does look like he's considering it seriously, and he'll stop in his tracks to allow her to gain distance. ]
Sorry about that. [ a pause. ] If you wanna head back, I could call you a taxi.
no subject
but that's the dangerous part, isn't it?
...
she backtracks, walking silently towards him and takes him by the wrist. ]
We're already here, so you may as well show me your surprise now or never. [ tugs him forward ] Come on.
no subject
Never? That's harsh. And here I was, already thinking about what I could do next to win your trust. I'm pretty studious when it counts, you know. I make a mean study partner.
[ with a bit more gusto, he tries to wrest his hand free, aiming to tuck both his hands into his pockets. no misbehaviour here. ]
Mm. Go ahead and follow the trail. [ there are little lights embedded into the steps; evidently, it's well treaded and taken care of. ] I wouldn't take a newbie somewhere off the beaten path—it'll lead you directly to where I wanted to take you.
no subject
and yet, her hold around his wrist is tight, and she only lets go because elysium doesn't want to be held, apparently. so with one more sigh, she turns her back on him and eyes the lit trail which stretches forth in front of them into the wilderness.
then, quietly: ] Just... stay right next to me, okay?
[ and off she goes, following the faintly lit path. now where is this leading up to, she wonders........ ]
no subject
anyway, sorry to bring this back to ecats but i am mobile for the foreseeable future so here we are. it's about a twenty minute trek along the way, in which he'll let her take in the fauna around them if she isn't feeling particularly chatty. otherwise, they can make ado about nothing!
the trail winds its way to a fenced-off cliff, where the world falls away into open ocean. the breeze presses against them, cool and alive, carrying the scent of salt and distant waves. moonlight spills across the water's surface, scattering into a thousand glittering stars that seem to dance with every rise and fall of the tide. ]
It's not really a walk along the beach, but it's close enough. What do you think? Not something you can just get to feel or see if you're always holed up, yeah?
no subject
she can hear the waves splashing against the cliffside on the way up, but nothing beats the view itself once they've reached the top. ishmael's speechless for a moment, mouth slightly agape as she approaches the fence and places her hands on the railings, staring out into the ocean. ]
...It's as beautiful as I remembered it.
[ she turns to elysium, the ocean breeze combing through her hair and taking her breath away. ]
So... this is what you do apart from partying and bussing tables?
no subject
also
questionably emerges from my boxes ]
As you remember it?
[ he gives her the moment, standing back with his hands tucked into his pockets. his head tilts, contemplative. she can't see it, but he's doing it anyway; instead of focusing on a view he's seen countless times before, his eyes linger on how she fits into the nightscape: her hair dulled by the dark, but no less striking against the quiet backdrop. ]
You could say that. I like hiking, travelling.
[ a wider smile tugs at his lips as he looks down, nudging a small rock off the path with the tip of his shoe. ]
They take me to all kinds of places. But getting to show others what I find's a close runner-up.
no subject
and fine ill make it even smaller. she turns toward the ocean again, folding her arms together on the rails. ]
I like traveling, too. On water, at least. I just haven't had the time to visit the ocean in years now.
[ a Lot happened since then, ok. fortunately for elysium, she's not going to traumadump on him right away. instead she looks at him with a muted smile, tucking a lock of her wayward hair behind her ear. ]
I'm just surprised you still find the time to do all this. I keep thinking that there's never enough.
no subject
That's because there isn't. You have to pick and choose your battles and ask yourself what really matters to you. In a couple years from now, what are you going actually remember? The fact that eked out that last point on a test, or the view you saw today?
[ a smile back, and he'll finally join her up by the railing, arms bracing on top. ]
Mind you, I don't do this everyday. Just often enough to remind myself there's more to life than the grind.
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[ she pouts a little before turning her attention back to the ocean view. you can't just say that to a girlie who's been an honor student since birth, damn. ]
But I get what you're saying. I definitely won't be forgetting this view anytime soon.
[ yet there's a certain melancholy in her voice as she says it, and she leans down to rest her head on her folded arms. it's beautiful, she can't deny it. if only that beauty alone isn't making her stomach churn in all sorts of subtle ways. ]
You didn't have to do all this for me, but... Thanks.
no subject
[ she wouldn't be the first person to call him too chill… but that's just how it goes for a guy who has no real aspirations. it's little reckless to push what he doesn't know, and maybe that last point would mean something somewhere. but to him, he'd keep rolling with the punches anyhow. what isn't meant to be isn't meant to be.
he shrugs, nonchalant. ]
But who said I did it for you, anyway? Now you can't call me a shallow guy who doesn't know anything but partying. Heheh. Fess up. [ he elbows her teasingly. ] You thought I was going to take you somewhere totally lame, weren't you?
[ unfortunately, he likes bars and party vibes as much as the next frat guy but look, he knows better than to take certain people to certain environments. ]
no subject
[ he's going to get a more aggressive elbowing for that. she's been nice to him the whole time, tf. ]
And no, I assumed you were going to murder me. Remember? [ lmao ] But I was serious when I thought you were going to take me out stargazing too. And, well...
[ the stars glitter over the peaceful waters, with the moonlight casting down some sort of road towards the shore. it's a pretty sight, one that has her head tilting slightly with a soft exhale. ]
I may as well be right. Right?
no subject
[ this could just be a joke, but. you know. ignores how she thinks he was about to MURDER her ok!!!! ]
I chose to study here specifically because you can still see the stars at night. It's a good middle ground, you know? College towns might be isolated, but they offer these little pockets free of light pollution without taking you too far from the conveniences of modern life. Not a bad trade, considering you're signing away more than just a few years of your life away.
It doesn't compare to seeing them out in the true open, but it's something. If you like stars, have you had a chance to check out the observatory on campus?
no subject
I've heard weirder reasons why people choose their universities. Wanting to see the stars is a new one, though.
But no, I haven't gone there yet. It's only been a couple of weeks since the semester started, you know. [ HOW DOES HE FIND THE TIME it's crazy ] I have studied a bit about the stars, though. Mostly out of boredom than anything serious.
[ or is it.... ]
no subject
Well, yeah. Beginning of the semester's the best time to scope things out.
[ he makes a little circle with his finger, shoulders lifting in an easy shrug. ]
What do you know about them? Recognise any out here?
no subject
anyway she's squinting at the sky now, resting bitch face now scrunched in concentration as she tries to make out the constellations she swore she'd read somewhere. ]
Um, see that cluster of stars? The bright ones that would form an imperfect rectangle if you connect them together, then another line jutting from one of the corners to connect to another nearby star.
[ she leans sideways till her shoulder bumps against elysium's, pointing up to the sky and tracing said wonky rectangle with her finger. ]
That's Corvus, I think. The Crow. That's one of the few ones I know.
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