tushanshu_logs | [closed] I'm feeling alive all over again

Characters: Arthur Curry and Mera
Date: Early on during the spa event
Location: Around
Situation: Arthur and Mera go on a long date. That's basically it. They're adorable married people.
Warnings/Rating: It will probably end in skinny dipping. Just sayin'.

[Arthur isn't sure he'll ever be used to the way the mood changes at the drop of a hat in this city. Tensions were escalating between foreigners and kedan, with the state of the city remaining at a steady rate of deterioration seemingly, but then... Well, he knew that something must be happening with Tu Vishan. He felt the calm and walked outside to see sweeter waters flushing out some of the decay in the canals, and he knew the great turtle was... happier, somehow.

It's heartening. It really is. A glimmer of hope when everything seemed bleak.

So he and his wife are going to enjoy the festivities. They rarely get the chance to do things like this; there are so few celebrations in Atlantis and Sub Diego with everything that's happened over the tides. He's dressed for the occasion, for a real date, in his usual green pants and a short-sleeved, open shirt of Atlantis blue, embroidered with fish, his hair smoothed back and his beard trimmed short and neat. They have a lot of missed dates to catch up on, and today will be one of them.

They're heading out toward the center of the city right now, to the festival going on; it's nice, people with instruments on street corners playing music, people dancing in flowy costumes, the smell of fruit and roasting fish in the air... And to a sensitive Atlantean nose, the scent of sweeter seawater, salt in the air.]

It's all beautiful, but not as beautiful as you. [He says, smile a little teasing and sheepish at the same time, because wow, he knows how bad that line is.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The change in Tu Vishan has put them both in a better mood. Mera has been spending as much time as she can in the water, happy to be able to practice her abilities with water that is actually clean. She's been fishing and gathering fruit to store away and basically just playing in the water. To an Atlantean, clean crisp water is like candy and she intends to enjoy it to the fullest.

Mera is dressed in a soft green dress with golden lilies embroidered along the bottom hem and neckline, appropriate for an evening out she thinks, her hair pulled back in a loose braid against her back and tiara left back in their suite. The only part of her normal outfit she's kept for tonight are the golden hoops she wears in her ears. When Arthur speaks she laughs, wrapping her arms around one of his and leaning her head against his shoulder]

That was terrible, darling. But I love you enough to overlook it. [She grins up at him, still holding onto his arm. It's been a while since she felt this legitimately happy] So, my king, what are your plans for us tonight?

[It's always like a change in the tide when something goes right for a change, when things start to look up. A break in the clouds, to use the surface term. But things are looking better. Tu Vishan is feeling it and he's letting everyone else feel it too. Why waste the massive turtle's gift?

She looks beautiful. That's about all he can think as they head toward the center of the festivities. When was the last time they got dressed up to go out? He's not sure. Maybe before they were married. Atlantis always took up so much of their time, it's almost strange not to have to deal with the day to day matters of the ocean.]

I'm a little out of practice. [He says with a laugh.] It hasn't been just the two of us in a while. I thought, my lovely wife, that we'd go see the kedan's festival, and then down to the water. It's a nice night for sleeping under the waves.

[It's been so long since the last time they did this. Mera can't even remember the last time. Being royalty always took up so much time. Then there was the baby, Arthur's life as a hero, everything that happened to them....it was just a lot and it didn't leave much room for dates. But this is nice and she's going to enjoy it. She's not even going to think about any of that other stuff]

It has been a while, hasn't it? [She smiles, giving Arthur's arm an affectionate little squeeze] That sounds lovely. It'll be like when it snowed, just with less falling down.

[The last time he remembers distinctly is Hawaii, before the marriage and the baby and before his duties as King got to be too time consuming. There were parts of that night he still remembers quite fondly. Like what led up to having to find their clothes again after they got swept away in the waves.]

I think I much prefer this weather to the snow, though I suppose we can't knock learning to ice skate. [It was... an experience.

The crowd is jovial and having a good time as they near the festival's centers, and Arthur smiles, watching dancers move across the streets.] Amazing what a change of scenery can do. Dance with me?

[They had plenty of good times in the past. It's just that sometimes the bad seems to outweigh the good]

That was fun! Even if we were bad at it. [Very bad. Mera smiles warmly at the invitation to dance and takes both of Arthur's hands in hers]

Absolutely.

I think we were very good at it, for what a silly past time it is. [Seriously, sliding around on a large sheet of ice with blades on your feet? It still seems a little ridiculous.

He just laughs and holds her hands, pulling her gently into the crowd of dancers, closer to him, sliding an arm around his waist as he tries to pick up the steps.] How long has it been since we last danced together?

That is true, I suppose. It is rather silly. Who would think to bit little metal blades on their feet and slide around on a sheet of frozen water? [Surface dwellers are weird and have weird hobbies.

She moves with him, settling her free hand on his shoulder and lacing the fingers of her other hand through his]

Years. I don't think I can even remember the last time.

[Surface-dwellers, apparently. It wasn't really something he ever did with his father as a child, so it felt a little alien, but it was entertaining enough, with Mera there with him. He gives her hand a light squeeze as they move with the crowd of partnered dancers; they were always quick studies, the two of them.]

I remember watching you hula dance in Hawaii. [He says with a slight grin tugging at his lips. Their first real date, where he didn't insist on being King of Atlantis, and where she taught him to live.] And I'm sure we danced at our wedding. [He twirls her once, with the rest, and leans in a little.] Not that I remember it specifically. I was too busy wondering how I'd gotten so lucky.

[Mera laughs and moves along with him, pressing herself up against him and resting her chin on his shoulder]

That all seems so long ago. I barely remember. They're fuzzy memories but they're good ones. [She pulls away then, smiling up at him and laughs when he twirls her] I think I'm rather lucky myself. It's not very often you meet a handsome, kind, intelligent, strong King. It's even less often that you fall in love and marry him.

It was a long time ago. It's one of the ones I always hold on to, though. [As a reminder that things haven't always been bad. He'd needed those little reminders a lot during his days after Mera left. Also because Mera dancing topless is always going to be a favorite mental image...]

Well, if you're only looking at kings, I'd imagine the dating pool is small indeed. [He teases lightly, drawing her closer with an arm around her waist as the music slows a little.]

If nothing else, it's a nice reminder that life isn't always difficult. [Which is something she thinks they could both use sometimes]

You know what I meant. [When he pulls her closer she wraps her arms around his neck]

[closed] I'm feeling alive all over again

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