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[ to say it's been a long couple of days would be an understatement. it's not been bad, per se, but it has been hectic, and tiring, and she just wants to relax a bit. so here she is at the beach, on the jutting rocks, casting her line out into the waves.

it's quiet. peaceful. she's almost nodding off where she sits. almost. ]

[ It certainly has been eventful, and for all Childe enjoyed trying his hand at Doki Doki Bingo, he's been eager to hit the beach and see what sorts of things can be fished up from the depths. Even if there's nothing out there, he has to know.

Collecting a pole and supplies from the beach shack, he makes his way towards an ideal spot he scouted out the other day, only to find a familiar face there, her back turned away from him. So...they'd had the same idea, then? Unwind from their whirlwind arrival with a bit of solitude and fishing?

That's his sentiment, at least, and he bites his lower lip to hold back the urge to call out to her. He has the utmost respect for the art of fishing, including that it is often a solo undertaking. She could have invited him here if she wanted his company.

Instead, he approaches the outcropping but doesn't settle in right next to her. Even if he's making no secret of his presence, he leaves a generous amount of space between them, so she can ignore him, if she wants.

At least, until she's done fishing. Then he will bug her all he wants! ]

[ even when she's almost sleeping, lumine is still very aware of her surroundings. it comes from her many years of traveling, of needing to be aware of dangers on the road, and ready for them. so when he approaches, she starts and sits up straight, snapping her gaze toward him.

what a coincidence, that they had both thought to fish at the same time. she would have invited him, but they've seen quite a lot of each other these past days, he's probably sick of her face. she redoubles her grip on the fishing pole. ]

Childe?

[ She's probably sick of him, especially with how many bingo exploits they got up to together, but that isn't about to stop him once she addresses him. He gave her the chance to opt out of interacting with him. It's fair game, now! ]

Ah, comrade! I didn't expect to find you out here. Still, I can't think of a better way to unwind after the past few days we've had.

[ He starts to set up his line or whatever. Idk everything I know about fishing comes from Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley. ]

[ oddly enough, she isn't, but lumine has long since come to terms with the fact that she likes him, even if he's infuriating. spending time with him is just.. fun. even if she'd be loathe to admit it out loud. ]

Sorry, I should have asked if you wanted to come. I know you enjoy fishing.

[ even if bayley doesn't know shit about it ]

[ DAMN STRAIGHT ain't ever gettin that fishing trophy in ffxv ]

Hey, don't worry about it! We had the same idea today, so it all worked out in the end.

[ something something tackle line bait the perfect cast bloop!! His line hits the water. ]

Fished up anything interesting yet?

[ from beside her, she lifts a very ugly fish that looks something like this, only purple and covered with spines. ]

Just this.. it doesn't look very appetizing.

Anything you find in the ocean can be delicious if you prepare it right. I bet all those spines are hiding the tenderest meat you can imagine.

[ It's a little...unusual looking, sure, but the ocean is full of untold terrors. ]

Oh - by the way, I believe congratulations are in order.

I suppose we'll find out.

[ far be it for lumine not to try and eat something she fished up, after all. even paimon. especially paimon. ]

Congratulations? Oh - you mean for bingo?

[ Especially Paimon. ]

Mh-hmm! Your team was one of the ones that won, no doubt thanks to you, in no small part.

[ she chuckles under her breath. ]

Well.. if I'm honest, you helped a lot. Even if you were just trying to win for yourself.

It makes it a little difficult to stay purely competitive when you need other people to win the game.

Still, if that means you're giving me some credit for your win...I'll take it.

[ He gave it his all, and even if his team didn't emerge victorious, it was a battle well fought. Or something. ]

Just some credit.

[ he only helped with like. four squares. maybe five.

her eyes dart away, however, because now she's definitely thinking about that kiss they shared. ]

[ If he notices her gaze dart away, he doesn't mention it, but he is pretty focused on his own line, so she's spared from him reading too much into it, for now. ]

I seem to recall I got you a bingo, did I not?

[ ...Or maybe she's not spared after all. ]

[ SHE IS NOT SPARED!! lumine is suddenly very interested in her fishing line. ]

Yes, well. I helped you to get one, too. We're even.

[ Ah...he understand now. That behavior is a little harder to miss, a wild grin splitting his face. Did he fluster her?? The typically unflappable Traveler? ]

So you did! You and I make quite the team, don't we? It's no wonder they had to place you on a different team than me. We'd be unstoppable, otherwise.

[ she is very purposefully not looking at him, so she very much does not see that awful, smug grin. ]

You're not wrong. I suppose wins would come too easily that way. Besides, I'd think you would be thrilled at the opportunity to be on a team opposite mine.

Oh, I am! Rest assured, next game I will be making it my personal mission to defeat you, come what may.

[ She may not be able to see it, but she can definitely hear it. ]

I doubt the next one will give us the opportunity to cooperate by kissing each other.

[ Peering over just so... ]

[ he is the absolute worst

lumine's face flushes hot, and she swallows thickly, her gaze flickering sidelong toward him - which she instantly regrets - then back to her line. ]

I doubt it, too. I hope you enjoyed it while you could.

[ He doesn't miss the way her glaze flickers towards him, and she is rewarded with a light, airy laugh, even if his face feels a little warm against the cool sea breeze. ]

And if I did? Enjoy myself?

[ He just. Wants to see how she reacts. ]

[ her heart flutters against her ribs like a trapped butterfly, and lumine is.. silent for a short while, before she clears her throat. ]

I can only assume you did, otherwise you wouldn't have done it. But I'm sure it's nothing new to you, either.

[ he's a shameless flirt, that much is evident to anyone. ]

[ Ah, well...she's not exactly wrong, is she? He chuckles, though a bit more stiffly than the one that came before. ]

Aha...guilty as charged! Still, it's not every day you get to kiss your comrade.

[ He doesn't typically go for that. And there was still something...different about it. Maybe because she's someone who can keep up with him in a way most can't?

Sure, maybe that's it. ]

No? You seem the type to kiss about anything with a pulse.

[ she's not sure why that stings. it shouldn't, but it does. after all, she's the one who convinced herself that it didn't have to mean anything. so what's she getting all up in arms about??

and why is he still TALKING ABOUT IT. ]

But it helped us both. So.

[ and it sure was nice. ]

Is that so? I think you'd know more about my standards by now.

[ But he doesn't elaborate. She doesn't like talking about it, and while it's amusing to see her flustered, it...stings a bit for him, too. He may be a flirt, but he's no philanderer.

Does she think he treats every girl the way he treats her?

He bites his lower lip, busying himself with reeling in his line to cast again. ]

Wonder what the next game will be...perhaps something with a bit more combat to it. I want to see what our fellow inmates are capable of.

[ Changing the subject. ]

[ if she really thought about it, no, lumine wouldn't think that of him at all, she's just testy for reasons she does not really want to face, or think about. he changes the subject, and while she's glad of it, she can't help the pang of guilt. ]

I'm sorry. I still have a bit of a headache.

[ and that's definitely the only reason she's crabby. ]

It was a nice of you to help me.

pops ur inbox cherry with late day 59

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