Walkabouts

[Joker]

Being outside of Iwagakure for the first time in his life was a nice experience, he enjoyed it quite a bit; but he didn’t really get what was so fun about this place? It was way too warm, the sun beat down too heavy, and he couldn’t get into any fights, not that he was really the fighting type, but he did need something else to complain about.

”Too hot…” He felt as if he was melting, his tongue almost lolled out of his mouth as he walked around under the extreme sun, at least to him. He looked around for an ice cream vendor, or at least someone that he knew. But neither was coming up for him for a moment, at least until he looked properly.

There was one person there, a clanmate, Maho. He wondered whether it was worthwhile, he’d have to stop having fun if he was with a fellow clan member but at the same time, it was better than walking around alone.

”Hey, Maho-san.”

He called out, a hand in the air as he approached her. His Hazel eyes looked into hers for a moment before he dulled his emotions, even if he couldn’t dull the way that the heat hit him. ”Quite an interesting place, wouldn’t you say?” He started with small talk, but it was really just a bridge to his real question.

”Would you like to explore together?”

[Kabu]

If there was anything Maho enjoyed, it was an opportunity to get to know new people and explore new places. She had initially arrived with her parents but had separated herself from them soon after getting set up at the hotel. Her mother had of course been concerned but had relented fairly easily, only making her promise that she would be careful and stay out of trouble. She had also given her new clothes to wear while they were here.

That was what had led her to wandering the town they were staying in, her normal outfit having been swapped out for a sundress and sandals, a sunhat resting on her head. She did wonder how and where her mother had come across such a lightweight breezy outfit given they lived in an area of extreme cold. It was cute and comfortable though so she wasn't complaining.

In any case she was walking through the town, simply taking in the sights and sounds when she heard a sudden voice calling her name. She turned in the direction of the voice, tilting her head at the boy who addressed her. "Ummm..." she stuttered, the question marks practically floating above her head as she tried to figure out who this boy was. Was he a relative? That had to be it...

After a moment her expression brightened, a lightbulb having gone off in her mind. "Ohhhh Hibiki!" she chirped, finally having remembered the boy's name.

"Hmm?" she ignored his question as she stepped closer, their noses practically touching as she studied his face. "Come on, smile. This is a time to be having fun!" she spoke, poking his cheek as she did. He seemed to be trying too hard to act aloof and emotionless, at least that was how it seemed to her. "You can do it!"

[Joker]

Maho stepping right into his space didn’t quite bother him, even if it had made keeping an even expression hard, he took a half step backwards until the moment she began to poke his cheek, it almost elicited a reaction out of him, and thus he moved around her, pushing her forward from behind, or trying to.

”Eh? Why would I. A Fukusha keeps a calm exterior, you should know that Maho. Look at all the elders, they’re really coo- I mean, composed when they do that.” He said as he made a small cough to cover up the rise in his tone, or the fact he might just have smiled just a little bit.

It was embarrassing to be caught out so fast, but then again Maho was of an age with him; it was difficult to hide that side of him from her. ”I do plan to have fun, however!” He said as he put more gusto into his voice, even as he tried to speak in a more eloquent way.

”What have you been up to since arriving? My pops has just been touring the restaurants and bars, it’s been boring.” He said as he looked around until his eyes landed on an ice cream stand. His feet stopped as he was glued to the spot, amber eyes stuck onto the location as he fought with his inner self.

He wanted to look like an adult, but on the other end, he really, really wanted some ice cream.

[Kabu]

Maho tilted her head in puzzlement at Hibiki's protests. She knew full well what the elders were like. However... what did they matter? Her parents had encouraged her to find her own path and to be her own person apart from the clan. Of course that didn't mean entirely neglecting tradition, mama and papa still having done their best to teach her about their roots and general history, but ultimately she and Hibiki both were in a unique position to set themselves apart from those before them.

All said she couldn't help but giggle as she watched him struggle to decide how to act. It was endearing and quite cute. "Oh, we just got here not too long ago! Mama and Papa are back in the hotel enjoying their alone time. I think Mama mentioned something about Papa taking her out on a date." she chirped up, grabbing Hibiki's hand as she spoke. She wasn't going to give him another chance to protest.

"Come on, let's get some ice cream! And then we can go play on the beach!" she cheerily spoke, waiting for him to walk along with her before heading towards the cart. She was willing to wait for him to follow her rather than dragging him along but there was a sparkle in her eye that made it clear she wasn't going to take no for an answer.