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[flyingsolos]

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[flyingsolos]

Guards, mostly. On the outside, it's just sand as far as you can see. A friend of mine said when he went exploring that he couldn't see an oasis anywhere.

[ no wonder water is so vital... ]

[purrtagonist]

No oasis at all?

[doesn't civilization in a desert usually pop up near sources of water?]

Where does the water in the city come from, then?

[it's really a rhetorical question. he doesn't expect her to answer]

[flyingsolos]

Great question. I'm not sure if they've just been storing it somewhere, but it's definitely weird.

[ oh, geez. ]

I wanted to check it out myself, but I can't fly for that long.

[purrtagonist]

Storing it somewhere means it has to be produced first.

[via magic, or a well, or-- if an oasis doesn't exist-- collected through rain. as the Sapphire appears on the horizon, just up ahead, Akira inclines his head at her again]

How long can you stay in the air?

[flyingsolos]

Five minutes, if I push myself a little. It's nothing that great yet.

[purrtagonist]

Five minutes is better than anything I can do.

[b. . . because he has no wings]

Keep practicing; I'm sure you'll turn five minutes into ten, and then twenty, before you even know it.

[flyingsolos]

Don't worry, I'm not about to give up on it.

... But you know, I might have to have you help me out a little.

[ oh, dear. ]

[purrtagonist]

All right.

[. . . that. was a quick agreement]

But my services don't always come for free.

[only sometimes]

[flyingsolos]

And you'll be charging... what, then?

[ wow, stealing her lines? ]

[purrtagonist]

I haven't decided yet.

[SHE STILL HAS THAT IOU AKIRA YOU SHOULDN'T BE CHARGING ANYTHING]

[flyingsolos]

... Right. Well it's too dangerous to owe you anything, so maybe I'll ask someone else.

[purrtagonist]

[hEY]

Kidding, I'm kidding. I'll help, depending on what you want me to do.

[he enters the Sapphire and beelines for the kitchen]

[flyingsolos]

[ again, she follows!! ]

I want to try to see if I can carry someone while flying.

[purrtagonist]

[it isn't mealtime, but there are severs around for Akira to flag down anyway. he requests a cloth wrapped around a clump of ice, for the lovely lady with a bruised shoulder, and thankfully the tavern workers don't seem against heeding that response. the barmaid disappears into the kitchen. she'll be back in a second]

[then he turns back to Rion]

[. . .]

Princess carry style?

[flyingsolos]

... Under the arms, probably. You're a little too... statuesque.

[ She says this very solemnly, even if she leans a bit against the nearest wall. She's definitely going to feel this tomorrow. ]

[purrtagonist]

Aw. I was looking forward to it, too.

[faux disappointment. the barmaid returns with a makeshift ice pack, and Akira takes it from her with gratitude. then he turns around and--]

[-- hm]

Why don't we sit at one of these tables?

[she looks like she needs to get off of her feet for a bit]

[flyingsolos]

Your friendship level's got to be at least seven.

[ but Rion is quick to nod, shifting properly upright and giving Akira a nudge to direct him to her table of choice. On the way there, she'll get a few friendly calls from some of the natives, which she'll return with a warm, slightly softer smile. ]

[purrtagonist]

And we're still at level three, so I've still got four more ranks to go.

[he makes note of the people who call out to Rion with familiarity, letting out a thoughtful noise as he does so. and when they reach her table of choice, he takes a seat and slides the ice back across said table towards her]

You seem well-connected.

[flyingsolos]

[ wow he seems very matter-of-fact about their friendship level?? Akira sure is weird.

Rion laughs, though, accepting the bundle and placing it on her shoulder. ]

That's what happens when you sing in the marketplace every day! I managed to snag a few fans.

[purrtagonist]

[ha ha! he sure is! he must just be a weirdo who likes making weirdo references that don't make sense!]

Every day, hm?

[he must have been working on the opposite side of the marketplace to have missed so many performances]

What time, and where?

[so he can catch the next one]

[flyingsolos]

In the morning for about two hours... and the afternoon for another hour. It's right by that one stand that sells the really big rugs.

[purrtagonist]

[oh. that's why. he is not a morning person. no excuse for missing the afternoon performances, though]

Noted. Look for me in the crowds the next time you're out there.

[THUMBS UP]

[flyingsolos]

What's this, Kurusu-kun? Am I finally going to win you over as a fan?

[purrtagonist]

Friend first, fan second. But who knows? Maybe I'll be forming your very own El Minha fanclub after only one performance.

[flyingsolos]

You'll have to fight the current president first. But just you wait, I'll completely win you over!

[ ... yeah, her eyes are shining. ]