"mm maybe i'm a secret avatar and don't know it," she says with a smile, but she's prettyyyy sure that's not how that works. not that she really knows anything about all that stuff. she can barely sleep at night thinking about all the things bo and ollie are up against. 

and lance. 

"maybe i can take your mind off of it?" she says and pushes him lightly on the chest. 

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

[attr="class","icon"]

"ha! maybe."[break][break]

that would be quite the revelation, though it's highly unlikely. even if he doesn't say it, the fact that he had failed to acquire a patron through his years of service for this region means that she will likely never as well.[break][break]

and if she has, then he'll feel immense envy that borders pettiness.[break][break]

his mind is tugged back to the hot springs with a light push on his chest.[break][break]

"mm, yeah? how are you going to do that?"

[attr="class","bottom"]willow atkins[break]

well, for starts she keeps pushing his chest. the water circles around their bodies. she walks him until his back hits the edge of the pool. not much joking left to be had about the avatar thing and besides, she doesn't like talking shop with him. 

it's easier to fill the gaps in their conversations with actions like she's doing right now. fingertips trail over his chest. a flush crawls up her neck and it's from the heat, but it's also definitely from the idea she has in her head. 

"how about you sit on the edge here," she says, trailing her hands down to his bare thighs, "and i'll just -" and then she loses her nerve to be sexy, finds it mortifying more than anything, and covers her face with her hands. 

"sorry, sorry. gods, this is so embarrassing. i just thought maybe i would try, er..."

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

[attr="class","icon"]

his back hits the edge of the pool except it's not as comfortable as one might think. it's a rocky surface that's been smoothed over but the small bumps and imperfections are still there.[break][break]

the agitation that comes from how they dig into his skin is amplified by the loss of the moment.[break][break]

he hides it well enough before reaching out for her, holding her by her shoulders.[break][break]

"no, no, don't be."[break][break]

pulling her into him, he rises slightly to kiss her cheek.[break][break]

"i appreciate you trying. it helped."

[attr="class","bottom"]willow atkins[break]

it helps lessen the awkwardness, but she's still left feeling like a fool. why this is so hard for her, she can't understand. since they started dating, they've spent quite a few nights together. she's never been one for anything wild by any standards, but surely she can get it together and try to - 

well, it doesn't matter now. the moment has come and epically gone. at least his mind seems to be off how hot the water is. 

she kisses his cheek back and smiles warmly.

"okay. then how about dinner? we can order some wine too?"

that might help them unwind.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

[attr="class","icon"]

he nods, returning a smile that never reaches his eyes.[break][break]

"that sounds really nice."[break][break]

with one final kiss, he shifts in the water, now standing to step out of it before offering her his hand.[break][break]

"come on."

[attr="class","bottom"]willow atkins[break]

and so she takes his hand, leaving her embarrassment in the spring behind her. it's not entirely what she hoped for with their first dip, but there's always time for more. they'll be here for a while. 

the menu book in their room is perused while she grabs a fluffy towel and wraps it around herself. "they recommend a red made from a vineyard near here," she says and flips the menu over to him. 

"the mushroom platter looks tasty. or the risotto. i'm okay with anything though."

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

[attr="class","icon"]

where she opts for the fluffy towel, he reaches for the robe, shrugging it on with ease before tying it around his waist.[break][break]

"ooh, red sounds good."[break][break]

he's not particularly picky about his food. it's why he doesn't really consider her eating preferences.[break][break]

by pure chance, most of the dishes he orders are plant-based, and it's only the risotto that ends up having a bit of meat in there.[break][break]

soon, they find themselves sitting together with a variety of dishes in front of them, all from the comfort of their room.[break][break]

he raises his glass.[break][break]

"to our first holiday together."[break][break]

the first of many.

[attr="class","bottom"]willow atkins[break]

she appreciates his attention to detail when he orders the dishes he does. with a smile just for her, she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and determines to make up her shortcomings in the spring. something to make this night stand out. 

the red swirls in her glass. she raises it to clink with his and then takes a sip. it's...interesting. someone with a more refined palate would probably be able to appreciate it better, for sure. 

aside from her ciders, willow's wine of choice is usually...moscato.

so the somewhat bitter, smoky flavor of this wine forces her to take casual sips. she takes a bite of the first dish and melts just a little bit, gesturing for lance to do the same. 

"mm, if they're all like this, i'll never complain," she says with a laugh.

LANCE VOLLANS

☉

[attr="class","icon"]

he usually prefers beer but when on dates and nice dinners, he prefers wine, which is how he has grown familiar with the difference in texture, taste, and quality. this one's nice, he decides.[break][break]

"they can be all like this, but i'm not sure where we'd go next."[break][break]

he laughs, then takes a bite of the first dish and melts as well.[break][break]

"mm! so good."[break][break]

and after another short laugh, he asks:[break][break]

"is there somewhere you've always wanted to visit?"

[attr="class","bottom"]willow atkins[break]

"well, now that the bubble is gone, we could technically go wherever we want," she says, bemused. she grabs a forkful of some stuffed peppers and melts a little at the taste. they eat in silence for a bit, enjoying the night, until he asks her a question. 

"kalos, maybe? my friend elisa tells me it's lovely." she pokes some food around on her plate and shrugs with a bit of a wistful smile.

"but that can't happen for a while. maybe when roman's out of the house." she'd feel terrible leaving him now when they just seem to be patching things up with their family.

LANCE VOLLANS
(mention Roman Maher)

☉

[attr="class","icon"]

"oh! you're right."[break][break]

they could go anywhere they want now, and with that realization comes another.[break][break]

he has no desire of wanting her to visit sinnoh with him. he isn't able to come to a reason why exactly that is but it's a lingering thought that will continue to fester in the back of his mind.[break][break]

"we could take him with us, you know. your friend elisa is right. kalos is lovely."

[attr="class","bottom"]willow atkins[break]

more excuses bubble to her tongue at the suggestion. like but then i'd have to leave the shop too and it would be a whole thing and roman doesn't like you very much and is that really what we want to do?

she zones out thinking of these things, chewing thoughtfully on another pepper. 

LANCE VOLLANS

☉