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.
[ his eyes follow the line of her finger, head tilting slightly as if to better trace its path. almost instinctively, he bumps her shoulder lightly, just to be annoying—but shifts his stance anyway, angling his body so she can lean further in. really, it's more to bring attention to their proximity, hand hovering near the small of her back, close but not quite touching. ]
You think. [ a little flatly. pfft. ] Wow, you weren't kidding about being a casual. Isn't this where you hit me its story or something? Like how its feathers got cursed black for doing its job?
[ his fingers flex around the cold railing, a soft puff of laughter escaping before he adds— ]
Poor guy. That was almost me earlier, trying to drag a shut-in out for some fresh air.
[ nor that big of a nerd, so no infodumps on that particular constellation here! just some grousing as she intentionally bumps against elysium again before pulling away, now more conscious of their close proximity than ever. she didn't even notice she's been all up in his personal space till now.
it's an odd feeling. ]
I just... read, is all. For fun. That's still a thing, you know. [ HMPH. ] At least I know one constellation, unlike some other birdie here.
[ the kind of hum that indicates he doesn't believe a word she's saying, but he's willing to play along. he doesn't react when she reestablishes the space between them, his gaze shifting instead to the night sky ahead. ]
Framing Corvus and Crater is Hydra. The reason Corvus is up there at all? He got distracted on a detour while fetching water for Apollo. Blamed it on a watersnake, of all things. Apollo didn't buy it and was enraged, even, so he flung the crow, the cup, and the snake up into the sky as some kind of eternal time-out. A reminder of his screw-up.
[ another low laugh slips from him as he shifts, turning to lean his back against the railing, elbows perched casually on top. ]
My takeaway? Find better masters. Or better yet, be your own. [ he gives her a sidelong glance, brow raised. ] Let me guess. You learned your constellations for a practical reason, didn't you? Miss Honour Student.
[ damn, he had her beat. must be one of those history buffs. she actually flushes at being one-upped like this, her pout deepening the more he yapped. ]
...You'd be surprised. Like I said, I didn't. I was serious when I said that I just looking them up for fun and nothing more. I also didn't expect to get quizzed on constellations of all things while being out in the wilderness, you know.
[ she is still capable of having fun, hellooooo. now her honor student rep is in tatters, rip. she crosses her arms again in a huff, watching the stars sparkle in the rippling waters below. ]
I admit, you had me beat just now. A guy who likes to party and goofing off while also taking dormmates he barely knows on an impromptu hike at the middle of the night to flex his astronomy skills? What can't you do, Elysium?
[ she draws out the sarcasm on her question there, but she is quite curious. a renaissance man is practically rare these days, she thinks. that or she really is that much of a shut-in to find more guys like him in the first place. ]
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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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
You think. [ a little flatly. pfft. ] Wow, you weren't kidding about being a casual. Isn't this where you hit me its story or something? Like how its feathers got cursed black for doing its job?
[ his fingers flex around the cold railing, a soft puff of laughter escaping before he adds— ]
Poor guy. That was almost me earlier, trying to drag a shut-in out for some fresh air.
no subject
[ nor that big of a nerd, so no infodumps on that particular constellation here! just some grousing as she intentionally bumps against elysium again before pulling away, now more conscious of their close proximity than ever. she didn't even notice she's been all up in his personal space till now.
it's an odd feeling. ]
I just... read, is all. For fun. That's still a thing, you know. [ HMPH. ] At least I know one constellation, unlike some other birdie here.
no subject
[ the kind of hum that indicates he doesn't believe a word she's saying, but he's willing to play along. he doesn't react when she reestablishes the space between them, his gaze shifting instead to the night sky ahead. ]
Framing Corvus and Crater is Hydra. The reason Corvus is up there at all? He got distracted on a detour while fetching water for Apollo. Blamed it on a watersnake, of all things. Apollo didn't buy it and was enraged, even, so he flung the crow, the cup, and the snake up into the sky as some kind of eternal time-out. A reminder of his screw-up.
[ another low laugh slips from him as he shifts, turning to lean his back against the railing, elbows perched casually on top. ]
My takeaway? Find better masters. Or better yet, be your own. [ he gives her a sidelong glance, brow raised. ] Let me guess. You learned your constellations for a practical reason, didn't you? Miss Honour Student.
no subject
...You'd be surprised. Like I said, I didn't. I was serious when I said that I just looking them up for fun and nothing more. I also didn't expect to get quizzed on constellations of all things while being out in the wilderness, you know.
[ she is still capable of having fun, hellooooo. now her honor student rep is in tatters, rip. she crosses her arms again in a huff, watching the stars sparkle in the rippling waters below. ]
I admit, you had me beat just now. A guy who likes to party and goofing off while also taking dormmates he barely knows on an impromptu hike at the middle of the night to flex his astronomy skills? What can't you do, Elysium?
[ she draws out the sarcasm on her question there, but she is quite curious. a renaissance man is practically rare these days, she thinks. that or she really is that much of a shut-in to find more guys like him in the first place. ]