Of course there’s a bar at the hot springs, and Lia is fucking thankful for that. She had wanted a peaceful weakened to enjoy herself and relax, but apparently peace has never been part of Arceus’ plans for her (as if Arceus even gives a damn, anyway).

She’s annoyed, and that annoyance is to be washed away by sweet and delightful whiskey with a touch of orange zest. One drink, maybe two…

What are you drinking?’

Despite her irritation, her expression is calm when she turns to look at the stranger, offering a slight smile. Conversation has always made for a good distraction, after all, and she has always been fond of meeting new people. Maybe she should be thankful.

”Oh. Old Fashioned... Nice choice there, but plain whiskey is a bit too bitter for my taste.”

Not like she likes particularly sweet things either.

PxPTa6|x
906/1000

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"true, but sometimes you just need something a little stronger."

this weekend is one of those times. his drink is served, placed on the counter in front of him.

he picks it up, sipping as he holds his gaze.

"i think we're the only ones in here."

despite his words, he knows they are, for he had just walked through the bar.

"are you here to relax?"

To0ItzHA

935

Amelia Livy

☉

’Sometimes you just need something a little stronger.’

There’s some coy and witty response Lia could give to that, but she chooses to keep it to herself for now, the words dancing at the tip of her tongue as she looks at the unfamiliar man. It causes her smile to subtly shift into a smirk, her gaze drifting away in order to lazily wander over their surroundings when he mentions the fact that they’re alone at the bar.

Then, she looks at him one more time.

”I guess you’re right… Sorry you’re stuck with me.”

She’s not really sorry, of course, and this is perhaps obvious by the way the smirk remains at her lips, lightly chuckling.

”I was, yeah, but I guess that’s not turning out too well.”

She’s honest. After all, why would she be alone at a bar if she were having a relaxing time? It would make no sense.

”What about you?”

Gently, her glass is swirled, and she takes a short sip.

1e19F_dY
873/1000

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

they're stuck with each other, really, but he doesn't mind in the slightest.

"same, but like you, it hasn't been going too well."

the smirk lingers as he swirls his glass, raising it to take a short sip after, mirroring her.

"until now, that is."

OdFmwWN2

842

Amelia Livy

☉

Two strangers stuck together at a bar. On a day like this one, Lia also doesn’t mind.

Although, would she really mind on any other day?

Depending on the stranger, maybe.

”Ah, I’m sorry to hear that. Although... I guess then maybe we can make things better for each other, right?”

She does no more than offer him a smile, the meaning of her words being left up to interpretation while a loose strand of soft platinum hair is tucked behind her ear.

”I’m Amelia, by the way, but most people call me Lia.”

It’s easily that she introduces herself, ever one to be confident.

63zwqvzI
805/1000

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

what meets her words is a playful smirk that tugs on his lips. it's not difficult to guess what interpretation he decides upon, especially not when he's leaning in closer.

"well, i'm glad to be stuck here with you, lia."

his finger idly taps against the rim of the glass.

"i'm lance."

IS1rFfTU

838

Amelia Livy

☉

It’s almost like he’s an open book; too easy to read, perhaps, his intentions too obvious. But, on this day, Lia doesn’t mind easy to read and obvious, and she too leans in closer just a little.


Another sip is taken from her glass, her gaze never leaving his as she savours the cocktail.

”Are you really? That’s sweet.”

There’s a smirk of her own this time, mirroring his in the way it playfully tugs at her rose-painted lips.

Lance.

”Pleased to meet you, Lance.”

eAdsYlzs
745/1000

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"likewise, lia."

her intentions are more difficult to read, less obvious than his, but there are enough similarities that only further invites him. he slips into her bubble, hovering close even as he raises his glass to sip.

his eyes drift past her for a moment but they soon return.

"are the hot springs any good? i've only been in the sauna so far."

482kCHAA

742

Amelia Livy

☉

Amelia is many things, and subtle can be one of them… usually. When she’s in the mood for it.

When things like her anger and annoyance are not present or have subsided in favour of more interesting feelings – like right now. She had come to the bar because she was in a bad mood, but this is turning out to be a good distraction from that.

So far, that is.

”The hot springs?”

For a mere second, those annoying thoughts return, but she calmly takes another short sip and looks at him.

”They can be nice, some more than others... Especially the private ones, I prefer having no interruptions.”

Paired with her smirk, this is, of course, less subtle, but it still rings true: unexpected interruptions are the whole reason she ended up annoyed, after all.

gdGPzZGB
724/1000

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

"that sounds nice."

the private one, that is, because sharing one with strangers sounds dreadful, honestly, and that's coming from an extroverted person like lance.

her smirk is mirrored.

"would you like to go together?"

zdSJ3eO_

663

Amelia Livy

☉

Lia would agree: sharing hot springs with anyone who may just show up whenever they wish to is dreadful, and from now on, she’ll make a point to only go to private ones if she ever does want to give relaxing in the water another shot.

Speaking of which…

’Would you like to go together?’

The offer is not unexpected, but it’s not unwelcome either. The smirk remains, and she meets his gaze.

”That’s a good idea, count me in.”

Why wouldn’t she agree to it? If only she knew who she’s speaking to...

qwOddr9z
673/1000

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

they're just strangers, after all, and so nothing there's nothing alarming about this. if only he knew who he's speaking to...

he smiles, finishing the rest of his drink before gesturing to the bartender only to mutter something to them under his breath.

and soon, someone comes over to guide them to their private hot springs.

extending a hand out towards her, he gestures.

"after you."

Mirez7Wh

625

Amelia Livy

☉

They’re strangers and nothing more. Two people who, after spending some enjoyable moments together at the hot spring, will probably never again encounter one another. There’s no need for it to be anything else. Lia doesn’t plan for it to be more, and she has no reason to believe so…

If only she knew just how often she’ll see Lance after leaving Lavaridge…

Watching him talk to the bartender, she calmly finishes her drink, the taste of whiskey and orange zest lingering as she takes his offer with a soft that rests on his – one perfectly manicured and only marked by the small callouses of years of archery.

”Thanks.”

Faintly, she smiles at him, and following their guide, they walk to the hot spring.

AVkdU0qd
618/1000

LANCE VOLLANS

☉