[ It's a good thing that the celebrations fall on a Saturday, although the couple to unattached person proportion seems to have increased exponentially. Wandering through the crowds, it feels like they run the risk of tripping over or otherwise being impeded by, in no particular order -- people holding hands while standing close, people holding hands but also taking up the whole sidewalk, two people somehow taking up a whole bench, and... Coco and Fox, who seem to be everywhere? Huh.
At some point, Jaune and Pyrrha's own plans had involved them quietly separating from Ren and Nora, but not with any real acknowledgment of what that might mean or what's going on around them. Things had changed - evolved, really - after Beacon's dance; following that, a comfortably slow crawl toward something. A something. Pyrrha, who is just happy to be outside and in his company, doesn't really push her luck.
But, okay -- Jaune trying to choose an activity is pretty painful. She does her best to put him out of his misery and points to a large building down the road. ]
What about-- [ Pyrrha's sudden suggestion comes at the same time as he opens his mouth and stops him in his tracks. ] --the, the aquarium? The-- yeah, we can... i-if that's what you want. I mean, I-I want it, too. Who wouldn't wanna be in a small enclosed space with sharks and the only thing that's separating you from the sea predators is a trusty piece of glass? Hahaha! [ swallows...... ]
[ Is there even any point to telling him that the sharks are kept too well fed to even bother with them? If they did, in fact, even people - which they generally don't? No, instead Pyrrha merely looks indulgent, laughing a little. ]
Okay, okay.
[ Falling into step again, leaving the idea of the aquarium behind. (Bummer.) ]
[ He looks into the distance where there appears to be some kind of festival. It's hard to tell from where they're standing what exactly it's about. Remembering the leader's creed, Jaune puts Pyrrha's idea ahead of his own. ]
N-No, let's go to the aquarium. Might be more... chill...
[ Despite her best efforts, Pyrrha perks up visibly when he agrees to her initial suggestion. In fact, without even considering the ramifications, she grabs his hand and starts to pull him along.
[ Well, that was sudden! As soon as he feels his hand being yanked, he immediately starts walking along just to keep up. ]
Movie...? -- Wait, just double-checking... you definitely said the aquarium, right? Or are we gonna see a movie about... about aquariums... because..... [ BECAUSE THAT SOUNDS PAINFULLY BORING ]
[ She slows just enough as they round the building to point out the helpful marquee. 4D Theatre: Now showing Shark Talk. So, no, not actually a movie about aquariums! (Thank goodness.) ]
Jaune, is this... your first time going to an aquarium?
H-Heh, how many times does one need to go to an aquarium?
[ In other words, how much can you really love watching fish swim, partner?! As for the movie, though... yeah, he's not gonna lie, that looks kind of exciting. ]
[ Definitely Remnant's version of. Probably some sort of fertility celebration with a gentler explanation for young'uns. You know who's probably having the time of his life today? Taiyang Xiao Long. That's who.
Well, whatever. Pyrrha considers his question with a smile. ]
There's no reason why not! [ Then, as something occurs to her, she adds, ] I'll make sure of it.
[ Wait, what does she even do now? Does she let go? Would that be weird? Their dynamic has definitely been changing, content to be something slow as they try to figure out themselves and the very busy, very complicated lives they have. It had been easier not to draw attention to it, but... she, or they, kind of failed in it. Just now. What would be worse, to keep holding on now that they've both consciously realised it or to pull her hand away? What sort of messages does that send? ARGH WHY DIDN'T SHE EVER ASK HER MOM FOR BOY ADVICE --
Actually, you know what? We're doing this.
...
As gently as possible, she tries to unlink their hands. ]
[ Jaune's thought process isn't all too different. He loosens his hold on her just at the same time as she tries the same, but then immediately thinks it's a sign of weakness and grips her hand again. And then when that happens, he wonders if he looks too indecisive and then lets go again. Shit! No! Their hands are already parting!! It's too late now... and it's doubly awkward after that whole stunt now. ]
Ha... s-sorry, I--
[ P-Pats her on the shoulder. HE'S TOTALLY MAKING IT WEIRDER AUGH ]
--alright. [ He officially ruined this whatever it is. ]
[ Still warmed by his, her hand falls to her side and... oh, okay. He's patting her shoulder.
Well, that's pretty typical Jaune. Pyrrha looks simultaneously bewildered and affectionate. His awkward tendencies have only ever made him more endearing in her eyes, and besides, this will be much worse if they're unable to laugh it off. So what if they were holding hands? One day, they might be -- ... or they might not be! Who knows.
With a smile, she repeats that one word back at him. ]
Alright.
[ And then! ]
Shall we go in? I can get our tickets if you'd like to pay for lunch. [ Subtly, she's leaving him the less expensive half of the date.
Is that couple's rate today only? Pyrrha finds herself wondering this, but doesn't ask. In fact, she does her best to spin it as well as possible. As awkward as that may be, he did just save quite a bit of money. Victory!
To the teller: ] Thank you!
[ Taking Jaune's hand again to pull him past the ticket lobby and inside the aquarium proper.
Didn't we just do this?
Well, regardless, there's a sign near the entrance with a helpful list of directions. Cafe and gift shop, downstairs. 4D theatre, floor 5. Penguin habitat, floor 4. Dolphin pool, roof (open only in spring and summer). Fish tanks, keep forward. Fun, right? ]
[ GOD STOP PULLING HIM AROUND YOU THIRST MONSTER ]
--ahahaha! That was, uh, heh, d-do we really... [ Do they look like a couple? Well, yeah, they obviously do, but asking it feels like a mistake. What if she says no? What if she thinks they do?! DOES IT MAKE THEM OFFICIAL, AUGH HE'S TOO NERVOUS-- ]
--do we really get to see all of these things?
[ Just think, they skipped a carnival for this. ]
Where do you wanna go first? [ Since she's taken it upon herself to lead the way again. ]
--t-top, yeah! That's the penguins, right? Man, can you imagine being born as a bird that can't even fly? That's like... a faunus being born without... faunus parts, I... okay, that wasn't the best analogy...
H-Hey, a faunus without faunus parts can still be a faunus, right?! Like a bird that can't fly is still a bird! Or... say someone who can't use their Semblance...
[ His voice drifts off for a moment before bringing it back to his point. ]
--a-anyway, all I'm saying is that there should be more awareness for the creatures!
[ Pyrrha can't imagine that they can't quite get more aware of than a preservation effort that also doubles as an educational tourist attraction, i.e. the aquarium they are standing in right now.
Honestly, though, she's just baffled. Jaune's segues are particularly hard to follow in this instance. What is he trying to tell her? ]
[ What he's trying to do is connect with her god damn intellectual side because he knows absolutely nothing about anything related to... aquariums. ]
Right! Nobody ever talks about the penguins. Are they on cereal boxes? No. Would I eat a cereal brand with them on it? Probably not. I was doing a Pumpkin Pete's thing. But just think, there are kids right now who have never even seen what a penguin looks like.
[ An entire excursion of first graders walks past them, coming from wherever the penguin room is. ]
[ Step one: Locate utterly wrong conclusion. Hold it steady in periphery. Step two: Gauge distance between self and said wrong conclusion. Step three: Take a large, running leap right into that conclusion's waiting arms. Step four: ??? Step five: oh god why is this happening ]
... are you afraid of penguins?
[ She looks genuinely concerned for him right now! ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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At some point, Jaune and Pyrrha's own plans had involved them quietly separating from Ren and Nora, but not with any real acknowledgment of what that might mean or what's going on around them. Things had changed - evolved, really - after Beacon's dance; following that, a comfortably slow crawl toward something. A something. Pyrrha, who is just happy to be outside and in his company, doesn't really push her luck.
But, okay -- Jaune trying to choose an activity is pretty painful. She does her best to put him out of his misery and points to a large building down the road. ]
How about the aquarium?
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Okay, okay.
[ Falling into step again, leaving the idea of the aquarium behind. (Bummer.) ]
What were you about to say, Jaune?
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[ He looks into the distance where there appears to be some kind of festival. It's hard to tell from where they're standing what exactly it's about. Remembering the leader's creed, Jaune puts Pyrrha's idea ahead of his own. ]
N-No, let's go to the aquarium. Might be more... chill...
[ WHAT'S WITH SO MANY COUPLES AROUND THEM ]
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Forget about the couples, partner. ]
If we hurry, we can catch the movie!
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Movie...? -- Wait, just double-checking... you definitely said the aquarium, right? Or are we gonna see a movie about... about aquariums... because..... [ BECAUSE THAT SOUNDS PAINFULLY BORING ]
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Jaune, is this... your first time going to an aquarium?
[ what sort of childhood did you have, boy ]
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H-Heh, how many times does one need to go to an aquarium?
[ In other words, how much can you really love watching fish swim, partner?! As for the movie, though... yeah, he's not gonna lie, that looks kind of exciting. ]
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Well, you can see all kinds of fish, octopi, sea turtles, penguins, jellyfish...
[ Pyrrha's still holding his hand, by the way. ]
And there should be talks held by aquatic life experts. You can learn a lot. [ Translation: I am a secret nerd. ]
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O-Oh, wow, it'll be just like we're in class! And here I was worrying that we wouldn't have anything to do on our day off, heh.
[ Yeah, sure, that's what it is. Just two classmates enjoying a day off on February 14th (or Remnant's version anyway). ]
Think we'll get to touch any dolphins?
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Well, whatever. Pyrrha considers his question with a smile. ]
There's no reason why not! [ Then, as something occurs to her, she adds, ] I'll make sure of it.
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[ Speaking of touching, though, it does finally occur to him to glance down and see that they're holding hands. ]
--a-ah. [ He lost his train of thought as his eyes stay fixed below. ]
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[ Looks down. ]
Oh.
[ Wait, what does she even do now? Does she let go? Would that be weird? Their dynamic has definitely been changing, content to be something slow as they try to figure out themselves and the very busy, very complicated lives they have. It had been easier not to draw attention to it, but... she, or they, kind of failed in it. Just now. What would be worse, to keep holding on now that they've both consciously realised it or to pull her hand away? What sort of messages does that send? ARGH WHY DIDN'T SHE EVER ASK HER MOM FOR BOY ADVICE --
Actually, you know what? We're doing this.
...
As gently as possible, she tries to unlink their hands. ]
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Ha... s-sorry, I--
[ P-Pats her on the shoulder. HE'S TOTALLY MAKING IT WEIRDER AUGH ]
--alright. [ He officially ruined this whatever it is. ]
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Well, that's pretty typical Jaune. Pyrrha looks simultaneously bewildered and affectionate. His awkward tendencies have only ever made him more endearing in her eyes, and besides, this will be much worse if they're unable to laugh it off. So what if they were holding hands? One day, they might be -- ... or they might not be! Who knows.
With a smile, she repeats that one word back at him. ]
Alright.
[ And then! ]
Shall we go in? I can get our tickets if you'd like to pay for lunch. [ Subtly, she's leaving him the less expensive half of the date.
NOT DATE. THING. Outing! ... dammit. ]
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[ normally what...
In any case, Jaune saunters over to the ticket booth and looks at the prices.
ADULTS: 10 lien
CHILDREN: 7 lien
SPECIAL "COUPLES" DEAL: 5 lien flat
Jaune pays 20. ]
Two, please!
[ After a moment, he receives two (2) tickets and 15 lien change. ]
...uh.
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Is that couple's rate today only? Pyrrha finds herself wondering this, but doesn't ask. In fact, she does her best to spin it as well as possible. As awkward as that may be, he did just save quite a bit of money. Victory!
To the teller: ] Thank you!
[ Taking Jaune's hand again to pull him past the ticket lobby and inside the aquarium proper.
Didn't we just do this?
Well, regardless, there's a sign near the entrance with a helpful list of directions. Cafe and gift shop, downstairs. 4D theatre, floor 5. Penguin habitat, floor 4. Dolphin pool, roof (open only in spring and summer). Fish tanks, keep forward. Fun, right? ]
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[ GOD STOP PULLING HIM AROUND YOU THIRST MONSTER ]
--ahahaha! That was, uh, heh, d-do we really... [ Do they look like a couple? Well, yeah, they obviously do, but asking it feels like a mistake. What if she says no? What if she thinks they do?! DOES IT MAKE THEM OFFICIAL, AUGH HE'S TOO NERVOUS-- ]
--do we really get to see all of these things?
[ Just think, they skipped a carnival for this. ]
Where do you wanna go first? [ Since she's taken it upon herself to lead the way again. ]
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Why don't we start from the top and work our way down?
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[ DON'T SAY IT LIKE THAT?? ]
--t-top, yeah! That's the penguins, right? Man, can you imagine being born as a bird that can't even fly? That's like... a faunus being born without... faunus parts, I... okay, that wasn't the best analogy...
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... do you mean a human?
[ Seriously.
What does she even say to that? ]
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[ His voice drifts off for a moment before bringing it back to his point. ]
--a-anyway, all I'm saying is that there should be more awareness for the creatures!
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[ Pyrrha can't imagine that they can't quite get more aware of than a preservation effort that also doubles as an educational tourist attraction, i.e. the aquarium they are standing in right now.
Honestly, though, she's just baffled. Jaune's segues are particularly hard to follow in this instance. What is he trying to tell her? ]
I suppose...
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Right! Nobody ever talks about the penguins. Are they on cereal boxes? No. Would I eat a cereal brand with them on it? Probably not. I was doing a Pumpkin Pete's thing. But just think, there are kids right now who have never even seen what a penguin looks like.
[ An entire excursion of first graders walks past them, coming from wherever the penguin room is. ]
..........
S-See? They don't even care!
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[ Step one: Locate utterly wrong conclusion. Hold it steady in periphery.
Step two: Gauge distance between self and said wrong conclusion.
Step three: Take a large, running leap right into that conclusion's waiting arms.
Step four: ???
Step five: oh god why is this happening ]
... are you afraid of penguins?
[ She looks genuinely concerned for him right now! ]
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surprise multi-parter is done
THANKS
sits here and laughs at you tbh
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